Enhancing the yield of emodin from Cassia alata L. leaves using ultrasound-assisted deep eutectic solvent extraction

Year 2025, Volume: 29 Issue: 4, 1551 - 1561, 05.07.2025

Prisnu Tirtanirmala Abdul Mun`im Firdayani Firdayani

https://doi.org/10.12991/jrespharm.1734670

Abstract

Emodin is a bioactive compound found in Cassia alata leaves, which has several pharmacological effects.
However, the current extraction methods for these leaves produce a low yield of emodin. Deep eutectic solvent (DES),
with their numerous advantages, could be a strategy to increase the yield of emodin during the extraction process. The
objective of this research was to enhance the yield of emodin from the extraction of Cassia alata leaves using DES. After
evaluating various DES combinations, the selected DES was found to be lactic acid:choline chloride (2:1). To determine
optimal extraction conditions, response surface methodology with Box Behnken Design was employed. The results
indicate that the highest total anthraquinone content was obtained at extraction temperature of 53°C, extraction time of
19 minutes, and a solid-to-solvent ratio of 1:20 g/mL. Additionally, partial method validation was conducted for the
quantification of emodin in Cassia alata leaves using LC-UV instrumentation. The validated method employed the
following conditions: isocratic mobile phase of 2% acetic acid:methanol (30:70), flow rate of 0.8 mL/min, wavelength of
288 nm, and C-18 column (150 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 µm). The emodin and total anthraquinone content in the Cassia alata leaf
extract using the selected DES were higher compared to ethanol extract using the same extraction method. In conclusion,
the DES solvent (lactic acid:choline chloride in molar ratio 2:1) can be utilized as an alternative solvent in the extraction
of Cassia alata leaves, which is more effective and efficient in enhancing emodin yield compared to conventional ethanol
solvents.

Keywords

Senna alata , anthraquinone , response surface methodology , HPLC , green extraction

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