Antidiabetic and Cosmeceutical Potential of Common Barbery (Berberis vulgaris L.) Root Bark Extracts Obtained by Optimization of ‘Green’ Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction

Abstract

Berberis vulgaris is rich in berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, with antidiabetic activity, often used topically for skin-related problems. The aim of this work was to develop a “green” method for berberine extraction using mixtures of water with glycerol, a non-toxic, environmentally-friendly solvent. Response surface methodology based on Box–Behnken design was used to optimize the experimental conditions for ultrasound-assisted extraction of berberine and anti-radical components from B. vulgaris root bark. The independent variables were temperature (X1), glycerol concentration (X2), and ultrasound power (X3), while the responses were berberine concentration and DPPH radical scavenging activity of the extracts (RSA IC50). The response values of the extracts prepared at optimum conditions were (response, X1, X2, X3): berberine yield (145.5 μg/mL; 80 °C, 50%, 144 W) and RSA IC50 (58.88 μL/mL; 80 °C, 30%, 720 W). The observed values deviated from the predicted values by −3.45% and 6.42% for berberine and RSA IC50, respectively, thus indicating the validity of the selected models. The prepared extracts demonstrated antioxidant, anti-melanogenic, and anti-inflammatory activity, as well excellent α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activity. The displayed biological properties and lack of glycerol toxicity makes the prepared extracts suitable for direct inclusion into antidiabetic and dermatologic food supplements and topical products.

Comparison of Maceration and Ultrasonication for Green Extraction of Phenolic Acids from Echinacea purpurea Aerial Parts

“…An efficient UAE process should maximize the recovery of target compounds with minimal degradation, resulting in an extract with high biological activity. Ideally, this should be accomplished using "green" environmentally friendly technologies and low-cost raw materials and solvents [10]. However, in order to determine the best UAE conditions for extraction of bioactive constituents, it is often necessary to perform multiple experiments and evaluate not only the direct influence of extraction variables, but their interactions as well.…”

“…High temperature and ultrasound power levels may improve the extraction process by reducing the viscosity of the solvent and by increasing the kinetic energy of the molecules in the solution. However, they may also lead to degradation of sensitive phytochemicals, including phenolic compounds [10]. Similarly, long extraction times may increase the amount of the extracted target compounds.…”

“…Radical scavenging activity (RSA) was evaluated using the sTable 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical [10]. In short, DPPH solution (0.21 mg/mL, 70 µL) was added to the extract solution (130 µL).…”

Advanced extraction techniques for Berberis species phytochemicals: A review

“…Berberine, a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid is one of the main components of Berberis species and has been reported for many pharmacological activities through enhancing the protection of cells against oxidative stress, immune system, heart, liver and kidney function (Neag et al ., 2018). Although the main component of most Berberis species and specifically barberry has reported to be berberine, yet experimental studies have shown that the antioxidant activity of barberry is not solely correlated with the berberine content (Dulić et al ., 2019), which suggests that barberry also contains other bioactive compounds with functional properties. A wide range of phenolic compounds, organic acids and anthocyanins have been identified in different Berberis species (Berenji Ardestani et al ., 2015, 2016).…”

Effects of black Berberis vulgaris L combined with aerobic and resistance exercise on blood metabolic parameters and liver enzymes in obese rats

“…One of these herbs with antioxidant properties is Berberis vulgaris L, a shrub of the genus Berberis, which is mainly cultivated in the region of South Khorasan in Iran and is one of the few plants whose root, peel, stem, leaves, flower, and fruits are used for various nutritive and medicinal purposes (Taheri et al, 2012). This plant is cultivated in many regions of the world and has a long history of use in traditional medicine (Dulić et al, 2019;Tabeshpour et al, 2017). Some of the alkaloids in black barberry when chemically analysed include berberine, palmatine, oxyaconthine, and berbamine, having each medicinal benefit.…”