ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To optimize the extraction and purification process of total triterpenoid acid in Ligustri lucidi fructus using response surface method and uniform test. Finally, the content of total triterpenoid acid reached more than 50%. METHODS: The content determination of total triterpenoid acid in Ligustri lucidi fructus was established by HPLC. Use ethanol as extraction solvent and through the single factor investigation about the ethanol concentration, solvent amount, extraction time and extraction times, we determined the number of ethanol extraction. In addition to extraction times, the other three factors were further optimized by response surface method. Then purified by the alcohol extraction-water precipitation method to remove the water-soluble ingredients. Petroleum ether was used to remove the chlorophyll, grease and other small polarity ingredients; using ethanol to remove the alcohol soluble components whose polarity is bigger than fructus ligustri lucidi terpene acids. Design the uniform experiment respectively to determine the amount of petroleum ether, frequency and time, also ethanol concentration and dosage. RESULTS: The content of oleanolic acid and ursolic acid is larger than other compounds in total triterpenoid acid in Ligustri lucidi fructus, and they are isomers. When the results are in the equivalent of oleanolic acid, the optimum extraction process was determined as 80%, 10 times the amount of ethanol, extracting for 2 times, each time 0.5 h. The optimal purification process is 12 times the amount of petroleum ether, purified once, 2 h every time. Then 10 times amount of 60% ethanol to purify for once. CONCLUSION: Optimizing the extraction and purification process of total triterpenoid acid in Ligustri lucidi fructus by using response surface method and uniform experiment is simple, feasible and worth promoting.