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Extraction Techniques of Herbal Drugs

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DOI: 10.22271/ed.book.415

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 Research Trends
in
Medicinal Plant Sciences
VOLUME - 5

Chief Editor
Dr. Manzoor Hussain

ISBN 9789353357146

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 Research Trends
in
Medicinal Plant Sciences
Volume - 5

Chief Editor
Dr. Manzoor Hussain
Professor and Chairman, Department of Botany, Hazara University,
Mansehra, Khyber, Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

AkiNik Publications
New Delhi
Published By: AkiNik Publications

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 Contents

Chapters Page No.

1. Ethnobotanical Knowledge on Traditional Therapeutic
Plants used by the Irula Tribes of Coimbatore District,
Tamil Nadu, India 01-16
(Samydurai P. and A. Rajendran)

2. Extraction Techniques of Herbal Drugs 17-33

(Dr. Milan Hait)

3. Therapeutic uses of Semi-Wild Trees in Agroecosystems 35-64

(R Rex Immanuel)

4. Indian Medicinal Plants and Its Therapeutic Importance

with Special Reference to Gardenia carinata: A Review 65-77
(Dr. Nagaraja Suryadevara, Dr. Venkatasathya Sai Appala Raju Velaga
and Ponmurugan P.)

5. Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria and Medicinal

Plants 79-96
(Deepshikha Thakur and Vineet Shyam)

6. Ethno-Medicine of Apatani in the Indian Himalayas: A

Review 97-130
(Gaurab Borah, Puranjoy Mipun and Dipankar Borah)

7. Pharmacological and Medicinal Perspective of the Plant

Solanum nigrum Linn.: A Review 131-149
(Ganapathy Balavinayagamani, Nagaraja Suryadevara and Sivanandham
Velavan)

8. Induction of Systemic Resistance of Biocontrol Agents for

the Management of Fusarium Wilt Complex in Coleus
forskohlii Caused by Fusarium chlamydosporum and
Meloidogyne incognita 151-171
(T. Sivakumar, R. Kannan, K. Sanjeev Kumar and S. Sudasha)
 Chapter - 2
Extraction Techniques of Herbal Drugs

Author
Dr. Milan Hait
Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Dr. C.V.
Raman University, Kargi Road, Kota, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh,
India

Page | 17
 Chapter - 2
Extraction Techniques of Herbal Drugs
Dr. Milan Hait

Abstract
Herbal medicines are the uniques choice over modern synthetic drugs
because they exhibit least or no side effects. Generally herbal preparations
imply the utilization of fresh or dried plant parts. Exact information of such
raw drugs is very vital aspect in making, safety and efficiency of the herbal
remedies. Extraction techniques includes the separation of medicinally active
parts of plant organisms from the inert components using specific solvents.
The standard strategies of medicinal plant extraction comprises maceration,
infusion, percolation, digestion, decoction, hot continuous extraction,
aqueous-alcoholic extraction through fermentation, counter-current
extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, ultrasound extraction (sonication),
supercritical fluid extraction and phytonic extraction etc. The systematic
study of plant species with the purpose of findings of new bioactive
coponents and successful evaluation of biologically active compounds from
plant parts are largely dependent on the sort of solvent used within the
extraction system. Non standardized approaches of extraction can also result
in the degradation of the phytochemicals present in the plants. Efforts must
be made to generate batches with pleasant as constant as viable and to
comply with the nice extraction strategies.
Keywords: plant materials, herbal medicines, solvents, extraction process,
phytochemicals
1. Introduction
The plant were used as a medicine in ancient. Different plant part are the
origin of large amount of drugs and are also used by the tribal people
through out the world. It is now assumed that nature has given the remedie
of every disease in one way or another. As per Ayurveda plants are used to
alleviate various diseases. Medicinal plants are the leading bio-supplier of
drugs of ancestal systems of medicine, advanced medicines, nutraceuticals,
food supplements, tribal medicines, pharmaceutical mediums and chemical
beings for synthetic remedies [Ncube et al., 2008].

Page | 19
 Herbal remedies are auspicious choice over recent man made drugs.
They exhibit least or no side effects and are believed to be unharmed.
Generally herbal compositions imply the usage of fresh or dried plant parts.
Exact information of such raw drugs is very vital aspect in making, safety
and efficiency of the herbal outcomes. Pharmacognosy is a modest and safest
tool, by which enire knoledge of the raw drug can be achieved [Modi, 2010].
Medicinal plants are of immence concern to the health of individuals and
communities. The medicinal value of these plants depend on some chemical
components that bear a definite physiological action on the human body.
Many of these aboriginal medicinal plants are used as spices and food.
Medicinal herb is considered to be a chemical factory as it incorporates a
huge of chemical compounds like alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, resins,
oleoresins, sesquiterpene, locations and oils (essential and fixed)
[Rajalkshmi et al., 2013]. Higher plants yield both primary and secondary
chemical metabolites, the former being especially significant in normal grow
and reproduction of plants [Tiwari et al., 2011].
Extraction methods comprises the separation of medicinally active
portions of plant tissues from the inactive/inert components by using
selective solvents. During extraction, solvents diffuse into the solid plant
material and solubilize compounds with anologous polarity [Ncube et al.,
2008]. Now day’s pharmaceutical agencies begin processing of medicinal
and aromatic flora in their system by means of the usage of extraction of
energetic components. There are numerous approaches like distillation,
effleurage, maceration, expression, solvent extraction and fluid extraction are
to be had for extraction of plant element [Edriss et al, 2012; Ahamed et al.,
2013].
The goal of systematized extraction approaches for crude drugs
(medicinal plant parts) is to obtain the pharmaceutically energetic elements
and to exclude undesired material by remedy with a selective solvent known
as menstruum. The extract thus received, after standardization, may be used
as a medicinal agent as such inside the shape of tinctures or fluid extracts or
in addition processed to be incorporated in any dosage form including drugs
and tablets. These products contain a complicated combination of many
medicinal plant metabolites, together with alkaloids, glycosides, terpenoids,
Flavonoids and lignans and many others [Edriss et al, 2012; Ahamed et al.,
2013].
The standard strategies of medicinal plant extraction encompass
maceration, infusion, percolation, digestion, decoction, hot continuous
extraction (Soxhlet), aqueous-alcoholic extraction through fermentation,

Page | 20
counter-current extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, ultrasound
extraction (sonication), supercritical fluid extraction and phytonic extraction
(using hydrofluorocarbon solvents). For aromatic plants, hydrodistillation
techniques (water distillation, steam distillation, water and steam
distillation), hydrolytic maceration followed by way of distillation,
expression and enfleurage (cold fat extraction) may be taken into account.
Some of the modern extraction methods for aromatic plant life consist of
headspace trapping, strong section micro extraction, protoplast extraction,
microdistillation, thermomicrodistillation and molecular distillation [Handa
et al., 2008].
Extraction of the bioactive plant elements has usually been a tough
project for the researchers. In this chapter, an attempt has been made to offer
an outline of sure extractants and extraction approaches with their
advantages and drawbacks.
2. Plant material
Plants are effective biochemists and had been constituents of
phytomedicine on account that instances immemorial; man is capable of
obtain from them a remarkable variety of commercial chemical substances.
Primarily plant based natural elements may be derived from any part of the
plant like bark, leaves, flowers, roots, fruits, seeds, etc i.e. all part of a plant
may contain additionally lively components. The systematic study of plant
species with the purpose of findings of new bioactive coponents is a daily
work in lots of laboratories. Scientific evaluation of plant particulrs follow a
logical pathway. Plants are collected either randomly or via following leads
supplied by neighborhood healers in geographical regions in which the flora
are observed [Eloff, 1998]. Fresh or dried plant materials can be used as a
source for the extraction of secondary plant components. Many authors had
said about plant extract preparation from the bracing plant tissues. The good
judgment at the back of this came from the ethno medicinal use of clean
plant substances among the traditional and tribal humans. But as many plants
are used in the dry form (or as an aqueous extract) with the aid of
conventional healers and because of differences in water content material
inside different plant tissues; plants are usually air dried to a regular weight
before extraction. Other researchers dry the flora in the oven at
approximately forty degree centrigrate for seventy two hours. In the
maximum suggested works, underground elements (like roots, tuber,
rhizome, bulb etc.) of a plant had been used extensively to contradict with
other above ground components in search for bioactive compounds having
antimicrobial properties [Ncube et al., 2008; Das et al., 2010].

Page | 21
3. Choice of solvents
Successful evaluation of biologically active compounds from plant parts
are largely dependent on the sort of solvent used within the extraction
system. Properties of a ideal solvent in plant extractions consists of, low
toxicity, ease of evaporation at low temperature, fast physiologic absorption
of the extract, preservative action, incapability to cause the extract to form
complex or dissociate. The circumstances affecting the choice of solvent are
amount of phytochemicals to be extracted, rate of extraction, variety of
various compounds extracted, variety of inhibitory compounds extracted,
ease of subsequent handling of the extracts, toxicity of the solvent in the
bioassay method, ability health hazard of the extractants [Lapornik et al.,
2005]. The preference of solvent is baised by using what is supposed with
the extract. Since the end product will include traces of residual solvent, the
solvent must be nonpoisonous and need not intervene with the bioassay. The
desire will even depend on the targeted compounds to be extracted [Ncube et
al., 2008; Das et al, 2010].
The numerous solvents which can be used within the extraction
processes are:
a) Water
Water is prevalent solvent, used to extract plant products with
antimicrobial property. Though traditional healers use generally water but
plant extracts from organic solvents have been found to offer more
consistent antimicrobial property as compared to water extract. Also water
soluble flavonoids (in general anthocyanins) haven't any antimicrobial
importance and water soluble phenolics only important as antioxidant
compound [Das et al, 2010].
b) Acetone
Acetone dissolves many hydrophilic and lipophilic additives from the
flora used, is miscible with water, is volatile and has a low toxicity to the
bioassay used, it is very useful extractant, especially for antimicrobial
research wherein greater phenolic compounds are required to be extracted. A
study pronounced that extraction of tannins and other phenolics changed into
better in aqueous acetone than in aqueous methanol [Ncube et al., 2008; Das
et al, 2010]. Both acetone and methanol were discovered to extract saponins
which have antimicrobial property [Eloff, 1998].
c) Alcohol
The better activity of the ethanolic extracts compared to the aqueous
extract can be attributed to the presence of higher amounts of polyphenols in

Page | 22
comparison to aqueous extracts. It manner that they're greater efficient in cell
walls and seeds degradation which have nonpolar character and cause
polyphenols to be released from cells. More beneficial reason behind the
decrease in activity of aqueous extract may be ascribed to the enzyme
polyphenol oxidase, which degrade polyphenols in water extracts, while in
methanol and ethanol they may be inactive. Moreover, water is a better
medium for the occurrence of the micro-organisms compared to ethanol
[lapornik et al., 2005]. The higher concentrations of greater bioactive
flavonoid compounds have been detected with ethanol 70% due to its higher
polarity than pure ethanol. By including water to the pure ethanol up to 30%
for making ethanol 70% the polarity of solvent was elevated [Bimakr, 2010].
Additionally, ethanol was found easier to penetrate the cell membrane to
extract the intracellular ingredients from the plant material [Wang, 2010].
Since nearly all the diagnosed components from plants, energetic in
opposition to microorganisms are organic or saturated organic compounds,
they may be most often obtained through initial ethanol or methanol
extraction [Cowan, 1999]. Methanol is greater polar than ethanol however
because of its cytotoxic nature, it is unsuitable for extraction in certain type
of research as it can lead to wrong results.
d) Chloroform
Terpenoid lactones were obtained through successive extractions of
dried barks with hexane, chloroform and methanol with activity
concentrating in chloroform fraction. Occasionally tannins and terpenoids
might be found within the aqueous phase, but they are more often obtained
with the treatment of less polar solvents [Kumar et al., 2010].
e) Ether
Ether is normally used selectively for the extraction of coumarins and
fatty acids [Kumar et al., 2010].
f) Dichloromethanol
It is any other solvent used for carrying out the extraction strategies. It is
mainly used for the selective extraction of only terpenoids [Kumar et al.,
2010].
Parameters influencing the quality of an extract
The fundamental parameters influencing the excellent of an extract are
[Ncube et al., 2008; Ahamed et al., 2013]:
a) Plant part used as starting material
b) Solvent used for extraction
c) Extraction procedure

Page | 23
Effect of extracted plant phytochemicals depends on [Ncube et al., 2008;
Tiwari et al., 2011]
a) The nature of the plant material
b) Its origin
c) Degree of processing
d) Moisture content
e) Particle size
Factors affecting extraction methods
The variations in different extraction methods that will affect quantity
and secondary metabolite composition of an extract depends upon [Ncube et
al., 2008; Tiwari, 2011]:
a) Type of extraction
b) Time of extraction
c) Temperature
d) Nature of solvent
e) Solvent concentration
f) Polarity
Table 1: Solvents used for bioactive component extraction [Cowan, 1999]

Water Ethanol Methanol Chloroform Ether Acetone

Anthocyanins Tannins Anthocyanins Terpenoids Alkaloids Phenol
Starches Polyphenols Terpenoids Flavonoids Terpenoids Flavonols
Tannins Polyacetylenes Saponins Coumarins
Saponins Flavonol Tannins Fatty acids
Terpenoids Terpenoids Xanthoxyllines
Polypeptides Sterols Totarol
Lectins Alkaloids Quassinoids
Lactones
Flavones
Phenones
Polyphenols

Cowan, 1999; Kumar et al, 2010; Sutur et al., 2010; Mute, 2009,
Sharma et al., 2010; Mali et al., 2007; Patel et al, 2010; Roy, 2010; Cruz,
2003; Wang, 2010; Vidyadhar et al., 2010; Shaibani et al., 2009; Bachaya et
al., 2009].

Page | 24
 Table 2: Structural features and activities of various phytochemicals from plants

Phytochemicals Structural features Example(s) Activities

Phenols and C3 side chain, -OH groups, Catechol, Antimicrobial,
Polyphenols phenol ring Epicatechin, Anthelmintic,
Cinnamic acid Antidiarrhoeal
Quinones Aromatic rings, two ketone Hypericin Antimicrobial
substitutions
Flavones, Phenolic structure, one Abyssinone Chrysin, Antimicrobial
Flavonoids & carbonyl group Hydroxylated Quercetin, Rutin Antidiarrhoeal
Flavonols phenols, C6-C3 unit linked to Totarol
an aromatic ring Flavones +
3-hydroxyl group
Tannins Polymeric phenols (Mol. Wt. Ellagitannin Antimicrobial,
500-3000) Anthelmintic,
Antidiarrhoeal
Coumarins Phenols made of fused Warfarin
benzene and α-pyrone rings Antimicrobial
Terpenoids and Acetate units + fatty acids, Capsaicin Antimicrobial
essential oils extensive branching and Antidiarrhoeal
cyclized
Alkaloids Heterocyclic nitrogen Berberine, Piperine, Antimicrobial,
compounds Palmatine, Anthelmintic,
Tetrahydropalmatine Antidiarrhoeal
Lectins and Proteins Mannose-specific Antimicrobial
Polypeptides agglutinin, Fabatin
Glycosides Sugar + non carbohydrate Amygdalin Antidiarrhoeal
moiety
Saponins Amphipathic glycosides Vina-ginsenosides- Antidiarrhoeal
R5 and -R6

[Cowan, 1999; Kumar et al, 2010; Sutur et al., 2010; Mute, 2009,
Sharma et al., 2010; Mali et al., 2007; Patel et al, 2010; Roy, 2010; Cruz,
2003; Wang, 2010; Vidyadhar et al., 2010; Shaibani et al., 2009; Bachaya et
al., 2009; Maniyar et al., 2010].
Table 3: Mechanism of action of some phytochemicals

Phytochemicals Activity Mechanism of action

Binds to adhesins, complex with cell wall,
Quinones Antimicrobial
inactivates enzymes
Complex with cell wall, binds to adhesins
Inhibits release of autocoids and prostaglandins,
Antimicrobial Inhibits contractions caused by spasmogens,
Flavonoids
Antidiarrhoeal Stimulates normalization of the deranged water
transport across the mucosal cells, Inhibits GI
release of acetylcholine

Page | 25
 Binds to adhesins, enzyme inhibition, substrate
deprivation, complex with cell wall, membrane
disruption, metal ion complexation
Makes intestinal mucosa more resistant and
reduces secretion, stimulates normalization of
deranged water transport across the mucosal
cells and reduction of the intestinal transit,
Antimicrobial
Polyphenols and blocks the binding of β subunit of heat-labile
Antidiarrhoeal
Tannins enterotoxin to GM1, resulting in the suppression
Anthelmintic
of heat-labile enterotoxin-induced diarrhea,
astringent action
Increases supply of digestible proteins by
animals by forming protein complexes in rumen,
interferes with energy generation by uncoupling
oxidative phosphorylation, causes a decrease in
G.I. metabolism
Coumarins Antiviral Interaction with eucaryotic DNA
Terpenoids and Antimicrobial Membrane disruption
essential oils Antidiarrhoeal Inhibits release of autocoids and prostaglandins
Intercalates into cell wall and DNA of parasites
Inhibits release of autocoids and prostaglandins
Possess anti-oxidating effects, thus reduces
Antimicrobial
nitrate generation which is useful for protein
Alkaloids Antidiarrhoeal
synthesis, suppresses transfer of sucrose from
Anthelmintic
stomach to small intestine, diminishing the
support of glucose to the helminthes, acts on
CNS causing paralysis
Lectins and Blocks viral fusion or adsorption, forms
Antiviral
Polypeptides disulfide bridges
Glycosides Antidiarrhoeal Inhibits release of autocoids and prostaglandins
Inhibits histamine release in vitro
Antidiarrhoeal
Possesses membrane permeabilizing properties
Saponins Anticancer
Leads to vacuolization and disintegration of
Anthelmintic
teguments
Steroids Antidiarrhoeal Enhance intestinal absorption of Na+ and water

4. Extraction of medicinal plants

Extraction, as the term is used pharmaceuticals, includes the separation
of medicinally active quantities of plant or animal tissues from the inactive
or inert components through the use of selective solvents in trendy extraction
strategies. The product so obtained from flora are distinctly impure liquids,
semisolids or powders meant best for oral or external use. These consist of
classes of preparations called decoctions, infusions, fluid extracts, tinctures,
pilular (semisolid) extracts and powdered extracts.
The primary principle is to grind the plant fabric (dry or wet) finer,
which increases the surface area for extraction thereby increasing the rate of

Page | 26
extraction. Generally solvent to sample ratio of 10:1 (v/w) solvent to dry
weight ratio has been used as ideal [Das, 2010].
Variation in extraction techniques normally depends upon
i. Length of the extraction period
ii. Solvent used
iii. pH of the solvent
iv. Temperature
v. Particle size of the plant tissues
vi. The solvent -sample ratio [Das, 2010]
4.1 Extraction process
a. Plant tissue homogenization
Plant tissue homogenization in solvent has been widely used by
researchers. Dried or wet, fresh plant parts are grinded in a blender to fine
particles, put in a certain quantity of solvent and shaken vigorously for 5-10
min or left for 24 h after which the extract is filtered. The filtrate then may
be dried under reduced pressure and redissolved in the solvent to determine
the concentration. Some researchers however centrifuged the filtrate for
clarification of the extract [Das, 2010].
b. Serial exhaustive extraction
It is another common method of extraction which involves involves
successive extraction with solvents of increasing polarity from a non polar
(hexane) to a more polar solvent (methanol) to ensure that a wide polarity
range of compound could be extracted. Some researchers employ soxhlet
extraction of dried plant material using organic solvent. This method cannot
be used for thermolabile compounds as prolonged heating may lead to
degradation of compounds [Das, 2010; Tiwari et al., 2011].
c. Soxhlet extraction (hot continuous extraction)
In this method, the finely ground crude drug is placed in a porous bag or
“thimble” made of strong filter paper, which is placed in chamber E of the
Soxhlet apparatus (Fig. 1). The extracting solvent in flask A is heated, and its
vapors condense in condenser D. The condensed extractant drips into the
thimble containing the crude drug, and extracts it by contact. When the level
of liquid in chamber E rises to the top of siphon tube C, the liquid contents
of chamber Esiphon into flask A. This process is continuous and is carried
out until a drop of solvent from the siphon tube does not leave residue when
evaporated. Soxhlet extraction is only required where the desired compound

Page | 27
has a limited solubility in a solvent, and the impurity is insoluble in that
solvent. If the desired compound has a high solubility in a solvent then a
simple filtration can be used to separate the compound from the insoluble
substance.
The advantage of this system is that instead of many portions of warm
solvent being passed through the sample, just one batch of solvent is
recycled. Large amounts of drug can be extracted with a much smaller
quantity of solvent compared to other methods. This affects tremendous
economy in terms of time, energy and consequently financial inputs. At
small scale, it is employed as a batch process only, but it becomes much
more economical and viable when converted into a continuous extraction
procedure on medium or large scale [Swami et al., 2008].

Fig 1: Sohxlet Appratus for solvent extraction

This method cannot be used for thermolabile compounds as prolonged

heating may lead to degradation of compounds [George and Joseph, 2013].
d. Maceration
In maceration (for fluid extract), whole or coarsely powdered plant-
drug is kept in contact with the solvent in a stoppered container for a defined
period (at least 3 days) with frequent agitation until soluble matter is

Page | 28
dissolved. The mixture then is strained; the Marc (the damp solid material) is
pressed and the combined liquids are clarified by filtration or decantation
after standing. This method is best suitable for use in case of the
thermolabile drugs [Tiwari et al., 2011; Ahamed et al., 2013].
e. Decoction
This method is used for the extraction of the water soluble and heat
stable constituents from crude drug by boiling it in a specified volume of
water for a defined time (at least15 minutes), cooling, straining or filtered
and passing sufficient cold water through the drug to produce the required
volume [Remington, 2006; Tiwari et al., 2011]. This procedure is suitable
for extracting water-soluble, heat stable constituents. Decoction is typically
used in preparation of Ayurvedic extracts called “quath” or “kawath”. The
starting ratio of crude drug to water is fixed, e.g. 1:4 or 1:16. The volume is
then brought down to one- fourth its original volume by boiling during the
extraction procedure. Then the concentrated extract is filtered and used as
such or processed further.
f. Infusion
It is a dilute solution of the readily soluble components of the crude
drugs. Fresh infusions are prepared by macerating the solids for a short
period of time with either cold or boiling water [Remington, 2006; Ahmad et
al., 2013]. Fresh infusions are prepared by macerating the crude drug for a
short period of time with cold or boiling water. These are dilute solutions of
the readily soluble constituents of crude drugs.
g. Digestion
This is a kind of maceration in which gentle heat is applied during the
maceration extraction process. It is used when moderately elevated
temperature is not objectionable and the solvent efficiency of the menstrum
is increased thereby [Remington, 2006].
h. Percolation
This is the procedure used most frequently to extract active ingredients
in the preparation of tinctures and fluid extracts. A percolator (a narrow,
cone-shaped vessel open at both ends) is generally used. The solid
ingredients are moistened with an appropriate amount of the specified
menstrum and allowed to stand for approximately 4 h in a well closed
container, after which the mass is packed and the top of the percolator is
closed. Additional menstrum is added to form a shallow layer above the
mass, and the mixture is allowed to macerate in the closed percolator for 24

Page | 29
h. The outlet of the percolator then is opened and the liquid contained therein
is allowed to drip slowly. Additional menstrum is added as required, until the
percolate measures about three- quarters of the required volume of the
finished product. The marc is then pressed and the expressed liquid is added
to the percolate. Sufficient menstrum is added to produce the required
volume, and the mixed liquid is clarified by filtration or by standing
followed by decanting [Handa et al., 2008].
i. Sonication
The procedure involves the use of ultrasound with frequencies ranging
from 20 kHz to 2000 kHz; this increases the permeability of cell walls and
produces cavitation. Although the process is useful in some cases, like
extraction of rauwolfi a root, its large-scale application is limited due to the
higher costs. One disadvantage of the procedure is the occasional but known
deleterious effect of ultrasound energy (more than 20 kHz) on the active
constituents of medicinal plants through formation of free radicals and
consequently undesirable changes in the drug molecules [Handa et al.,
2008].
j. Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE)
This is the most technologically advanced extraction system (Patil &
Shettigar, 2010). Super Critical Fluid Extraction (SFE) involves use of gases,
usually CO2, and compressing them into a dense liquid. This liquid is then
pumped through a cylinder containing the material to be extracted. From
there, the extract-laden liquid is pumped into a separation chamber where the
extract is separated from the gas and the gas is recovered for reuse. Solvent
properties of CO2 can be manipulated and adjusted by varying the pressure
and temperature that one works at. The advantages of SFE are, the versatility
it offers in pinpointing the constituents you want to extract from a given
material and the fact that your and product has virtually no solvent residues
left in it (CO2 evaporates completely). The downside is that this technology
is quite expensive. There are many other gases and liquids that are highly
efficient as extraction solvents when put under pressure [Patil & Shettigar,
2010].
5. Conclusion
Non standardized procedures of extraction may lead to the degradation
of the phytochemicals present in the plants and may lead to the variations
thus leading to the lack of reproducibility. Efforts should be made to produce
batches with quality as consistent as possible (within the narrowest feasible
variety) and to develop and follow the best extraction techniques.

Page | 30
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