New ionic liquid-based preparative method for diosgenin from Rhizoma dioscoreae nipponicae.
BACKGROUND
Rhizoma dioscoreae nipponicae is a perennial herb and its roots have been widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).


OBJECTIVE
To develop and optimize the extraction and hydrolysis technology of diosgenin from Rhizoma dioscoreae nipponicae.


METHODS
1-methyl-3-(3-sulfopropyl)-imidazolium hydrogen sulfate ([PSMIM]HSO4), as a kind of functional ionic liquid, replaced inorganic acid, and was used in a one-step ultrasonic extraction and hydrolysis for the preparation of diosgenin (the aglycone of dioscin and an important precursor chemical in the pharmaceutical industry) from Rhizoma dioscoreae nipponicae, for the first time. The effects of various factors were evaluated. The obtained product was studied using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).


RESULTS
About 6.35 mg of diosgenin could be obtained from 2.0 g of raw material. Reusability and recycling of the ionic liquid were validated with fairly good results. The ionic liquid solution was reused four times, and the final extraction efficiency only decreased by 5%.


CONCLUSIONS
In virtue of the obvious advantages of the green extraction and catalytic solvent, with further study, it is believed that this new one-step preparative method promises to replace the traditional methods.
Department of Pharmaceutical and Biological Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Wang
W
Yan
Luo
L
Ji
Song
S
Hang
Yao
Y
Shun
Diosgenin; extraction; hydrolysis; ionic liquid