Comparing Three Extractive Solvents for Phytochemicals in Citrullus colocynth Relevant for Polycystic Ovarian

Background and Purpose: The choice of extraction solvents often influences the efficacy and potency of herbal medicinal extracts. Citrullus colocynthis (CCT) fruit extract has been used in the management of various pathological conditions, particularly polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) due to numerous phytochemical constituents such as terpenoids and flavonoids. This study investigated the qualitative and quantitative profiles of phytochemicals in CCT using three different extraction solvents: aqueous, omidun (a local extraction medium), and ethanol. Methods: CCT fruits were procured, washed and cut into pieces. Equal amounts were extracted in equal volumes of water, omidun, and ethanol. The bulk yield, class of phytochemicals, and the quantities of each class were determined using standard methods. Results: The extractive yield for each solvent was 50.4, 39.3, and 10.3%w/w for aqueous, omidun, and ethanol respectively. Preliminary screening to determine the phytochemicals that should be quantified revealed that tannins and flavonoids were present in all three solvent extracts, but alkaloids were present only in ethanol extract, triterpenoids only in omidun and saponins were present in aqueous and ethanol extracts. Omidun was the most efficient in extracting flavonoids (73.40 mg/g), steroids (52.53 mg/g), and triterpenoids (76.45 mg/g). Conclusion: Of the three solvents, omidun was the most efficient in extracting the phytochemicals in CCT fruit that have been reported to alleviate infertility indices of PCOS, hence should be considered as the extraction medium for this purpose.