Computer-aided box–Behnken outlook toward optimization of extraction of baicalin from Oroxylum indicum L. stem barks

Background: Baicalin, a flavone glucuronide exhibiting profuse pharmacological activities present in Oroxylum indicum stem barks. Our research highlights the process parameter at which a high yield of baicalin can be extracted from O. indicum stem barks in “one run.” Objectives: The study compares the efficacy of different modern and traditional methods for baicalin extraction. Box–Behnken design (BBD) was availed for optimization of process parameters for the extraction of baicalin from O. indicum stem barks. Materials and Methods: Extraction conditions (extraction time, solvent-to-drug ratio, and extraction temperature) were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM), specifically BBD. Quantification analysis of baicalin in different extracts was done using high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) method conferred the highest yield of baicalin, and ethanol was found to be the most efficient extractive solvent. Through the use of BBD, the optimal conditions for baicalin extraction were established as extraction time—29.058 min, solvent-to-drug ratio—21.124 ml/g, and extraction temperature—67.963°C. Under such conditions, baicalin was yielded as 26.572 mg/g, which was nearly close to the predicted value of 27.16 mg/g. Conclusion: The UAE method stood out to be the best among all the other thermal and non-thermal modes of extraction used, and ethanol proves to be the most efficient extracting solvent. Additionally, baicalin extraction was significantly affected by all three different variables. Our study highlights the use of RSM, a modern-day statistical technique in the extraction field of therapeutically potent phytocompounds, which makes the optimization method cheap and less laborious than the traditional optimization method.