Systematic Optimization of Swertisin-Rich Extract from Enicostemma littorale using Box-Behnken Design and Quantification by LC-MS/MS: A Smarter Approach to Extraction Efficiency

Enicostemma littorale blume (E. littorale) has traditionally been used to treat various health conditions, including diabetes. Swertisin (SWT), a confirmed phytoconstituent of E. littorale, is responsible for its antidiabetic properties. Although the SWT was previously extracted using conventional methods, the yield was low. To address this issue, researchers have developed improved extraction techniques for SWT. This new approach involved initial ethanol extraction and a sequential extraction process. After obtaining the resultant ethanol extract, experimental design procedures were used for maximum recovery. Using the Box-Behnken design, systematic optimization of the extraction efficiency was accomplished. It was found that n-butanol: Methanol (4.62:5.28, v/v), sonication time (30 min), and solvent volume (15 mL) from E. littorale showed a maximum recovery of 3.36 mg/g, and statistical analysis revealed that the optimized extraction conditions were significantly different (p<0.001) from the low, medium, and high-level extraction parameters. The developed method is effective in extracting SWT, and this approach can be utilized to enhance the extraction of phytochemicals from raw extracts.