# Composition Study of Polyphyllin in Paris polyphylla by Ultrasound-Assisted Deep Eutectic Solvent Extraction Combined with UHPLC-MS/MS

## TL;DR

A new method using ultrasound and deep eutectic solvents efficiently extracts bioactive compounds from a rare medicinal plant, improving quality control and sustainability.

## Contribution

A sustainable ultrasound-assisted deep eutectic solvent extraction method was developed for efficient and reliable extraction of polyphyllin compounds.

## Key findings

- Extraction efficiencies across seven Paris species ranged from 2.04% to 16.51%.
- Optimized parameters included a choline chloride-to-ethanol molar ratio of 1:1.8 and an extraction time of 100 min.
- PPI and PPII contents ranged from 3.282–21.452 mg g−1 and 4.201–17.975 mg g−1, respectively.

## Abstract

Paris polyphylla (Chonglou), a medicinal herb documented in Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica and a key component of formulas such as Yunnan Baiyao, is a rare and endangered plant prized for its bioactive steroidal saponins, notably polyphyllin I (PPI) and II (PPII). However, its pharmacological potential is hampered by inefficient extraction and unreliable compound identification. Herein, we developed a sustainable and efficient extraction strategy using ultrasound-assisted deep eutectic solvents (DES), optimized via an L9(34) orthogonal experimental design. Extraction efficiencies across the seven Paris species ranged from 2.04% to 16.51%, achieved by systematically optimizing key parameters such as the choline chloride-to-ethanol molar ratio (1:1.8), material-to-liquid ratio (1:20 g mL−1), and extraction time (100 min). By ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) analysis, PPI and PPII were quantified using specific retention times and characteristic fragment ions, revealing content ranges of 3.282–21.452 mg g−1 and 4.201–17.975 mg g−1, respectively. This methodology provides a robust platform for quality control and standardization of Paris-derived medicines, while paving the way for sustainable utilization and in-depth study of its steroidal saponins.