Untitled

Abstract

Simple reproducible extraction methodology has been optimized for the simultaneous extraction of secondary metabolites which are known to have anti-diabetic potential from the methanolic extract of fruits of plant Tribulus terrestris L. The influence of different solvent mixtures, solvent amounts, temperature, extraction time, and procedures for defatting on yield and profile of various classes of secondary metabolites was investigated. The compromise extraction solvent for all of the examined compounds is 20: 80 mixture of 2 N HCl and methanol, mixed in ratio 30:1 with plant material. The mixture was refluxed at controlled 80C on a boiling water bath for about 6 hrs, filtered, extracted with chloroform and washed with alkali and distilled water. The extract was concentrated to dryness by evaporating the solvent at reduced pressure on Rotavapor buchi at 60 C and stored in the dark, on 20C. Extraction efficiency and presence of markers was monitored and confirmed by Biochemical test and LCMS. Proposed extraction method can be used as an analytical tool for quality evaluation of plants and formulations containing Tribulus terrestris L.