Optimization of Polysaccharide Extraction from Astragalus and Five-Ginseng Decoction Using Orthogonal Test

Background: Astragalus and Five-Ginseng Decoction is a traditional Chinese medicine formulation designed to address symptoms of chest obstruction, heart failure, and palpitations associated with Qi and Yin deficiency and blood stasis. This formula comprises herbs such as Astragalus (Huangqi), Radix Pseudostellariae (Taizishen), and Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen). These herbs are rich in polysaccharides, which are known for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. Optimizing the extraction process is critical for enhancing the yield and maintaining the biological activity of these polysaccharides. Objectives: This study aimed to optimize the process of polysaccharide extraction from Astragalus and Five-Ginseng Decoction. Materials and Methods: The polysaccharide extraction rate, crude polysaccharide content, and extraction yield from Astragalus and Five-Ginseng Decoction were considered as integrated indexes. An orthogonal test was adopted to investigate the effects of dilution ratio, extraction time, and extraction frequency on the extraction rate. Finally, experiments were conducted to validate the optimized process. Results: The refined extraction method involves the addition of 14 multiples of water, boiling the extract for 1.5 h each time, and conducting four extraction cycles. Conclusion: The polysaccharide yield from the samples was all influenced by the solid–liquid ratio, extraction time, and extraction frequency. The degree of influence followed this order: extraction time > extraction frequency > solid–liquid ratio.