Extraction of saponin from Calophyllum inophyllum leaves by ultrasound-assisted extraction

Abstract

Calophyllum inophyllum is a mangrove plant native to Indonesia, known to contain various bioactive compounds. Saponins, found in the leaves of C. inophyllum, exhibit anti-hypercholesterolaemic, anti-inflammatory, cardiac depressant, antitumour, antiviral, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. This study aims to investigate the effect of solvent type and extraction duration on the purity and yield of saponins using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). The extraction was conducted at 40°C with a power input of 550 W and a solvent-to-sample mass ratio of 25:1 (w/w). The leaves of C. inophyllum were found to contain 0.2% saponins prior to extraction. Optimal results, achieving a saponin purity of 22.05% and a yield of 11.74%, were obtained using food-grade ethanol as the solvent for 30 minutes. Additionally, the antioxidant activity of the extract and its effect on bladder cancer cell viability were explored. The IC₅₀ value for antioxidant activity was determined to be 19.99 ppm. Furthermore, at a concentration of 100 µg/ml, the extract reduced the viability of University of Michigan-Urothelial Carcinoma-3 (UMUC-3) bladder cancer cells by 29.50±1.94% and Black Foot Disease Transitional Carcinoma 905 (BFTC-905) cells by 30.26±5.83%.