Extraction, recovery, and biological activity evaluation of triterpenoids from Prunella vulgaris L. using ultrasound-assisted green solvents

Abstract

Using green solvents to extract bioactives from medicinal herbs is a sustainable development trend. This research sought to extract and assess the bioactivities of triterpenoids from Prunella vulgaris using green solvents with ultrasound assistance. The green solvents were carefully selected, and the betaine–lactic acid solvent provided the best extraction efficiency. The extraction procedure was meticulously optimized using a combination of Plackett–Burman and Box–Behnken designs. Triterpenoids were recovered by solid–liquid extraction with macroporous resins, with D-101 and AB-8 resins being the two resins that provided the best recovery efficiency. Both green solvents and resins were successfully reused for at least three cycles of extraction and recovery. Triterpenoids extracted using green solvents exhibited superior cytotoxic, α-glucosidase inhibitory, and antimicrobial activities compared to those extracted with organic solvents. The comprehensive results of this study confirm the significant role of green solvents in extracting high-value compounds from biomass, promoting further large-scale studies toward sustainable development.