GREEN EXTRACTION OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS FROM MEDICINAL PLANTS: SUSTAINABLE TECHNIQUES AND PHARMACEUTICAL APPLICATIONS
1 Department of Pharmacy, Siddhi's Institute of Pharmacy, Nandgaon, Maharashtra, India.
2 Siddhi's Institute of Pharmacy, Nandgaon, Maharashtra, India.
* Corresponding Author
ORCID Details
Pragati Kacharu Tekade : https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9214-9637
Girish Kokate: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7274-630X
Supriya Tekade: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8747-2235
Namrata Isame: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8538-8035
Renuka Rothe: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7603-7833
Vaishali Javare: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9878-4331
Review
International Journal of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences Archive, 2026, 12(02), 081–090.
Article DOI: 10.53771/ijbpsa.2026.12.2.0100
Publication history:
Received on 07 September 2026; revised on 24 October 2026; accepted on 26 October 2026
Abstract:
Medicinal plants are a rich source of biologically active compounds with diverse structures and beneficial properties. The major classes of these compounds are phenolic acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins and glycosides. These metabolites are regarded as potential active ingredients, drug leads and formulation components. Conventional extraction approaches are associated with long processing times, high solvent consumption and high energy costs, and unstable physicochemical conditions that may damage sensitive molecules. Green extraction technologies offer the possibility of obtaining desired compounds with reduced environmental impact. This study aimed to discuss ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE) and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) in the context of water, ethanol, water–ethanol mixtures and natural deep eutectic solvents as alternative approaches. These processes differ in their mechanisms of action, such as cavitation, rapid dielectric heating, variable solvent properties, enzymatic disruption of cell walls and increased solubilization due to pressure. The choice of an appropriate method depends on a variety of factors, including the type of plant material, the specific target molecule, the choice of solvent, operating conditions and the degree of purification. In pharmaceutical applications, green extractions were used for natural-product screening, antioxidant and antimicrobial investigations, herbal-extract standardization and drug-delivery research. However, a potentially valuable extract alone cannot guarantee therapeutic efficacy or overall sustainability. The importance of product safety, reproducibility, solvent removal, lifecycle analysis, scalability and regulatory compliance should not be overlooked. Green extraction methods can help to achieve higher sustainability if supported by appropriate analytical validation and justified conclusions.
Keywords:
Green Extraction; Medicinal Plants; Bioactive Compounds; Sustainable Extraction; Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction; Microwave-Assisted Extraction; Supercritical Fluid Extraction.
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