Extraction and preformulation study of deer antler velvet extract: Physical characterization of aqueous and ethanol extract

Objective: The aim of the research was to extract the deer antler velvet from Kalimantan Indonesia and to study physical characteristics between 70% ethanol and aqueous extract. Materials and methods: Ethanol extracts was extracted from deer antler velvet using maceration and modified maceration method. Ethanol extracts were compared to aqueous extract which produced using maceration technique. The extract profiles were determined by screening test and physicochemical properties as preformulation study were characterized using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), X-ray diffractometer, differential thermal analysis (DTA), solubility test, BCA protein content, and molecular weight using SDS PAGE assay. Results: Extracts were successfully prepared and determined. Physicochemical properties of 70% ethanol extract and aqueous extract resulted different characteristics in melting point, solubility, crystallinity and protein content. Both ethanol extract and aqueous deer antler velvet extract contained group compounds of terpenoids and steroids and contains high amount of proteins at molecular weight of 17 to 43 kDa. In terms of crystallinity, ethanol and aqueous extracts had different crystal lattices. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of deer antler velvet was then recommended for further in vitro drug formulation and characterization. The molecular weight of majority protein inside aqueous deer antler velvet extract was 17 kDa and this datas will be useful for further drug formulation.