Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Damsin and Neoambrosin from Ambrosia maritima: Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology

Damsin and neoambrosin are two important anticancer phytopharmaceuticals of Ambrosia maritima (Damsissa). Despite their importance, no report has yet discussed their extraction from plants on lab or industrial scales. Consequently, the present article aims to develop an ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) model for their extraction on the lab scale. Box-Behnken model was applied to investigate the effects of ethanol strength (X-1: 40100%), drug solvent ratio (DSR, X-2: 1:20-1:60), and time (X-3: 30-90 min) on the yield of damsin and neoambrosin in damsissa extract. Surprisingly, only ethanol strength was the significant factor in damsin yield with an optimum value of 55%. Time and DSR played no significant roles in damsin content. No statistically significant model could be deduced for neoambrosin. The model is a preliminary step to elucidate factors affecting the UAE of sesquiterpene lactones from plants and a preamble for its large scale green extraction.