Consolidated extraction and conversion of baicalin to baicalein from Oroxylum indicum using a novel NADES-UAE system and bioactivity evaluation in RAW 264.7 cells

What if the secret to greener, more potent plant extracts was hiding in a simple mix of natural molecules? A new study shows that a novel NADES-based extraction method pulls out three times more polyphenols than traditional ethanol.

Forget harsh solvents—nature has a better idea. Researchers are turning to Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES), made from common biological molecules like choline chloride and L-proline, to extract health-boosting compounds from plants. In this study, they compared these green solvents to traditional 95% ethanol for pulling polyphenols from Oroxylum indicum, a plant known for its medicinal properties. The result? NADES extracts contained roughly three times more polyphenols than the ethanolic ones, a significant boost for functional food and therapeutic applications.

But it’s not just about quantity. The team also tested the extracts’ bioactivity in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. They found that an L-proline-based NADES, specifically L-proline combined with 1,4-butanediol, showed enhanced antioxidant activity and effectively reduced inflammation. This was achieved by lowering the expression of key inflammatory genes—iNOS, COX-2, 5-LOX, and IL-6—without harming the cells.

These findings position L-proline and 1,4-butanediol as a universal, safe, and efficient green solvent for extracting phytochemicals. It’s a practical, ready-to-use solution that could reshape how we produce natural extracts for food and medicine.

Key Points

• NADES extracts yield ~3x more polyphenols than ethanol.
• L-proline/1,4-butanediol NADES shows enhanced antioxidant activity.
• Reduces inflammatory gene expression without cell toxicity.