Green Extraction Techniques of Phytochemicals from Hedera helix L. and In Vitro Characterization of the Extracts

Ivy leaves hide a treasure trove of health-boosting compounds—but how do we unlock them without harming the planet? Scientists just found a greener way.

Hedera helix, the common ivy, is more than a wall climber. Its leaves are packed with phytochemicals that benefit human health and protect plants from disease. But extracting these valuable compounds efficiently and sustainably has been a puzzle—until now.

Researchers compared three extraction techniques: microwave-assisted (MAE), ultrasound-assisted (UAE), and conventional heating (CHE). The results were striking. MAE won for saponins, hitting a 58% extraction efficiency. For carbohydrates and polyphenols, UAE excelled with 61.7% and 63.5% efficiency, respectively. UAE also delivered the strongest antioxidant activity: 368.98 ± 9.01 µmol TR/gDM.

The optimal recipe? Just 10 minutes at 50°C, using 80% ethanol in water. That's it—short, mild, and green. To ensure safety, the richest extracts were tested on NCTC fibroblasts and RAW 264.7 macrophages. Up to 200 µg/mL, both MAE and UAE extracts remained cytocompatible with fibroblasts after 48 hours, showing no toxicity.

In short, these green methods produce extracts rich in bioactive compounds with strong antioxidant power and good biocompatibility. Ivy's hidden potential is now easier—and cleaner—to tap.

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