Extraction of Estradiol and Progesterone from Antler Velvet with Supercritical CO{sub}2

摘要

Antler velvet is a traditional Chinese medicine which has long been recognized as one of the most effective and powerful invigorants for strengthening the kidney and sexual-reinforcing. Natural estrogen and progesterone can efficiently guard against and treat the menopause syndrome. This paper mainly explores the possibility of extraction of estradiol and progesterone from antler velvet with supercritical CO{sub}2. Single factor experiments were employed to investigate the influences of the operation parameters, such as the concentration and dosage of co-solvent, extraction pressure and temperature, on the total yield and the content of estradiol and progesterone in the extracts in the process of supercritical fluid extraction. The experimental results indicate that the extraction yield is 1.56% when 85% ethanol was used as co-solvent at temperature of 65°C and extraction pressure of 30MPa. Estradiol and progesterone in the extracts are 3.07ng/g and 776.18ng/g respectively. The extracted chemical compositions with supercritical CO{sub}2 were identified by GC-MS, HPLC and TLC, respectively. The results reveal that p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, hypoxanthine and phospholipids, which were reported to have inhibitory activities on senescence, were identified. Besides, some other active substances were also detected, such as unsaturated fatty acid and cholesterol.