Abstract:

The ultrasonic-assisted extraction of polysaccharides from the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza with respect to three
process parameters including ultrasonication time, ultrasonic power and raw material particle size was optimized using
combination of single factor experiments and Box-Behnken design. Meanwhile the antioxidant activity in vitro of the
extracted polysaccharides was evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging ability. The ability to
repair endothelial injury induced by high sugar content was analyzed by superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in endothelial
cells. The optimum extraction conditions that provided the maximum yield of polysaccharides of 4.73% were determined
as follows: ultrasonic power, 212 W; extraction time, 18 min; and raw material particle size, 55 mesh. Antioxidant assays
showed that the polysaccharides extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza possessed antioxidant activity. Compared with hot
water extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction could effectively shorten the extraction time, save energy costs and yield
polysaccharides with higher activity.

Key words: Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge., ultrasonic-assisted extraction, polysaccharide, response surface analysis, antioxidant activity