Concurrent Optimization of Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction of Total Phenolic Compounds and In Vitro Anticancer and Antioxidant Potential of Pulicaria schimperi (Aerial Parts) Using Response Surface Methodology

This study aimed to maximize the dependent variables [total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant (DPPH and ABTS), and anticancer activities (against HepG2 and MCF-7 cells)] from P. schimperi aerial parts by optimizing three independent variables (extraction temperature, extraction time, and liquid-to-solid ratio) of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) using the Box–Behnken design (BBD) of response surface methodology (RSM). For each of the dependent variables, the projected quadratic models were found to be very significant (p < 0.001). The extraction temperature and extraction time had a significant impact on the TPC extraction, antioxidant, and anticancer properties (p < 0.05). The best conditions were identified as an extraction temperature of 54.4 °C, extraction time of 48 min, and liquid-to-solid ratios of 20.72 mL/g for the simultaneous extraction of the TPC, antioxidant, and anticancer properties of P. schimperi. The experimental results and the expected values agreed under these circumstances. Regarding the high extraction effectiveness and antioxidant and anticancer effects at comparably low extraction temperature and duration, UAE demonstrated considerable benefits over conventional solvent extraction (CSE). This improved UAE approach has shown a potential use for effective polyphenolic antioxidant extraction from P. schimperi aerial parts in the nutraceutical sectors.