Effect of Soxhlet and Ultrasound-Assisted Solvent Extraction Methods on the Bioactivity of Adenanthera pavonina
Sanjeewa K. Rodrigo *
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka.
A. T. Herath
Department of Botany, Faculty of Natural Sciences, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Adenanthera pavonina (Fabaceae) is often used in traditional medicine for treating various diseases. Previous studies have shown various bioactivities. In this work methanolic extracts of different plant parts (Stem-bark, leaves, root, seeds) prepared using two extraction methods, Soxhlet and Ultrasound assisted solvent extraction (UASE), were examined for antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. Antioxidant activity was assayed against stable DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazil) free radical. Cytotoxicity was screened against brine shrimp, Artemia salina. Yields of extracts varied with the plant part and the extraction method. The sonicator bark extract showed the highest antioxidant activity (89.5±0.10%), significantly exceeding that of the Soxhlet extract (70.30±0.54) and that of the control; α-Tocopherol-55.4%). The seeds and leaves exhibited weak antioxidant activity, while the root showed moderate activity. Both sonicator and Soxhlet bark extracts displayed low cytotoxicity; LC 50(ppm); 360 SE, 304 USAE, and the seeds and leaves showed no cytotoxicity. These findings underscore the pharmacological potential of A. pavonina extracts and emphasize the need for purifying its active compounds.
Keywords: Soxhlet extraction, sonication, Adenanthera pavonina, antioxidant activity, cytotoxic activity