This study was the first designed to evaluate the extraction and antioxidant ability of triterpenes from Bergenia emeiensis rhizomes. The yield of triterpenes from B. emeiensis was mainly affected by the concentration of ethanol, followed by the extraction time, solvent to sample ratio, and the power of ultrasound. Thus, the response surface method was applied to investigate the interaction between the two factors and to optimize the extraction process. The optimal extraction conditions were 210 W, 75% ethanol, 40 min and 25 mL/g with a maximum yield of 229.37 ± 7.16 mg UAE/g. Moreover, the antioxidant ability of triterpenes from B. emeiensis (TBE) was evaluated by determining the scavenging capacity on free radicals and the protection on CHO cells and Caenorhabditis elegans against oxidative stress. The results showed the triterpenes could clear 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radicals well and had a strong reducing power. In addition, the survival of CHO cells was higher than that of the control group as a result of reducing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and promoting the activities of antioxidant enzymes. In addition, TBE could also enhance the survival of C. elegans under H2O2 conditions. Therefore, triterpenes from B. emeiensis could be developed into a beneficial potential for antioxidants.
Keywords: Bergenia emeiensis; CHO cells; antioxidant; response surface method; triterpenes.