Comparative analysis of solvent and advanced extraction techniques for optimizing phytochemical yield and bioactivity of Matthiola ovatifolia (Boiss.) Aerial parts

This study investigated the influence of different solvents (ethanol, water, DMSO, and acetone) and extraction methods, conventional solvent extraction (CSE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), and ultrasound-microwave-assisted extraction (UMAE), on the phytochemical composition and biological activities of the extracts prepared from the aerial parts of Matthiola ovatifolia Boiss. Total phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and saponins were spectrophotometrically measured. In addition, antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytotoxic activities against human hepatoma (Hep-G2) and human breast (MCF-7) cancer cells, antidiabetic properties, and the anti-inflammatory activity were also investigated. The results showed significant differences in total phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and saponins concentrations among different extraction methods. The ethanolic extract prepared using the MAE contained the highest total phenolics (69.6 ± 0.3 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g dry weight), total flavonoids (44.5 ± 0.1 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g dry weight), total tannins (45.3 ± 0.5 mg catechin/g dry weight), total alkaloids (71.6 ± 0.2 mg atropine equivalent (AE)/g dry weight) and total saponins (285.6 ± 0.1 mg escin equivalent (EE)/g dry weight) as compared to the extracts obtained with the aid of other methods. The highest antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxic, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities were also found for the same extract. According to the obtained results, the MAE method was much more appropriate for the extraction of phytochemicals from the M. ovatifolia.