Planta Med 2021; 87(15): 1308
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1736967
Abstracts
8. Poster Contributions
8.9 Recent Advances in Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research

Extraction of aphrodisiac chemicals from Eurycoma longifolia Jack using a natural deep eutectic solvent as a replacement for conventional solvents

C Sitthisak
1   School of Pharmacy, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160 Thailand
,
G Yusakul
1   School of Pharmacy, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160 Thailand
,
W Putalun
2   Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002 Thailand
3   Research Group for Pharmaceutical Activities of Natural Products using Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (PANPB), National Research University-Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002 Thailand
,
T Juengwatanatrakul
4   Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ubon Rachathani University, Ubon Ratchathani, 34190 Thailand
,
T Kanchanapoom
2   Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002 Thailand
› Author AffiliationsThis work was supported by the Personal Research Grant [grant number, WU-IRG-63-008], Walailak University, Thailand.
› Further Information
 

Eurycoma longifolia, also known as "Tongkat Ali", is an herbal medicinal plant found in Southeast Asia, including Thailand. The active compounds of E. longifolia root are classified into a group of quassinoids, canthin-6-one alkaloids, and beta-carboline alkaloids [1]. Eurycomanone is the major quassinoid found in E. longifolia root extracts, which has been reported to improve male sexual performance [2]. Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) are new solvents mainly composed of redundant primary metabolites found in nature. They're a potential alternative to toxic organic solvents in chemical processes, including extraction [3].

This study aimed to develop NADES for microwave-assisted extraction of aphrodisiac compounds from E. longifolia root. There were fifteen different NADES systems evaluated, each with three or four components. The analytes were identified and quantified after extraction using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet-visible detection (HPLC-UV) that has been developed. Eurycomanone, the aphrodisiac substance in E. longifolia root, was used as a biomarker for extraction. The HPLC-UV method was reliable and applicable for the determination of eurycomanone and other active compounds of E. longifolia root. The results showed that 50% w/w of water: choline chloride: propionic acid (1:1:1) extracted the largest amount of eurycomanone, 1.19 and 19.60 times more than extraction with water and ethanol, respectively. The extraction efficiency of the other NADES was improved 1.03-1.18 times that of water and 17.02-19.47 times that of ethanol. This research shows the effectiveness of NADES in the extraction of bioactive chemicals from natural sources.



Publication History

Article published online:
13 December 2021

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