Herbal extraction procedures: need of the hour
Nandhini Saravanabavan, Kartik Janardan Salwe, R. Sudar Codi, K. Manimekalai
Abstract
Extraction is the first most important step for preparing herbal drug formulations. It serves as an alternate method to identify the lead compound by isolating the active compounds from the crude drug using various extraction techniques by adding suitable solvent. Selection of solvent is the most important step as the success rate depends on it. Thus, by identifying the lead compound, extraction plays an important role in the process of drug discovery. In this review, different methods of extraction used for extracting the herbal extracts have been discussed with their advantages and disadvantages and also a brief discussion on solvent selection and actions of few phytochemicals have also been discussed.