Optimization of the Epimedii Folium Mutton-Oil Processing Technology and Testing Its Effect on Zebrafish Embryonic...

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Background:

• Epimedii folium (EF), a TCM with over 2,000 years of use, faces increasing safety concerns.
• Mutton oil processing is a traditional method to enhance EF's efficacy and reduce toxicity.
• Systematic evaluation of EF mutton oil processing technology is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize the mutton oil processing technology for Epimedii folium (EF).
• To evaluate the impact of mutton oil processing on EF's toxicity and teratogenicity.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Box-Behnken experimental design and response surface methodology to optimize processing parameters.
• Assessed multiple component contents to determine optimal conditions.
• Compared toxicity and teratogenicity of crude and processed EF using a zebrafish embryo developmental model.

Main Results:

• Optimal processing: heat mutton oil to 120°C ± 10°C, add crude EF, stir-fry to 189°C ± 10°C, then cool; use 15 kg mutton oil per 100 kg EF.
• Zebrafish embryo studies showed crude EF caused more deformities and had a lower half-maximal lethal concentration than processed EF.
• The optimized mutton oil processing technology demonstrated stability, reliability, and good repeatability.

Conclusions:

• Optimized mutton oil processing effectively reduces the toxicity of Epimedii folium (EF).
• Processed EF exhibits lower toxicity and teratogenicity compared to crude EF in zebrafish embryos.
• Findings support improved quality, uniformity, and clinical safety of mutton oil-processed EF.