Comparative study of extraction techniques for Cynara scolymus L. cultivated in the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

Introduction: Artichoke Cynara scolymus L. is a plant native to the Mediterranean basin with a long folk histoi) in treating many liver diseases was introduced and adapted to specific climatic conditions of the Republic of Moldova. Aim: lhis study aimed to analyze artichoke leaves extraction to identify its contents and to optimize conventional extraction of biologically active compounds various extraction techniques, solvent ratio were used. Materials and methods: The dry leaves of C. scolymus L.were provided from the Centre for the Cultivation of Medicinal plants of the State Medical and Pharmaceutical University “Nicolae Testemitanu”. The powdered leaves were subjected to extraction by Soxhlet extraction, maceration and percolation with ethanol (35, 70 and 90 %) and absolute methanol, using several sampling techniques multiple stage extraction, Squibb’s and Bosin’s exhaustive extraction. The extracts were further subjected to phytochemical tests using standard procedures. Rezults: The tested ethanol plant extracts contained appreciable amounts of flavonoids. The highest flavonoids yield were exhibited in extracts with ethanol 70% as solvent: artichoke tincture (1:5) - (1,38%); fluid extract (1:2) - (0.77%). Generally higher total flavonoids content were obtained using aqueous (2,06 %) and methanol solvents (5,62%), as compared to the respective ethanol solvents. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the aqueous and methanol extracts can be used as raw materials for artichoke dry extract obtain. The Bosin percolation with ethanol 70% solvent was the suitable method for reaching fluid extracts with the highest yield of the flavonoids content.