Rationalisation of extractive protocols for Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. through chemoprofiling and greenness assessment: assessing variable hydroalcoholic solvents and phytochemicals interplay

Use of variable water-ethanol compositions for medicinal plant extraction is common. However, rationalisation of solvent composition is essential for developing standardised herbal drugs. This study evaluated the dynamic extractability of Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. roots using different hydroethanolic solvent. Extracts were analysed using UV–Visible spectrophotometry, HPLC, HPTLC, and LC–MS/MS to assess phytochemical availability, while environmental sustainability was evaluated using AGREEprep and AGREE tools. Results showed a unique trend of phytochemical richness falling with the decreasing content of ethanol. Analyses resulted in highest phenolic (17.76%), flavonoid (5.76%) in the 50:50 hydroethanolic extract which also delivered highest gallic acid (1.12%) and quercetin (0.976%). HPTLC analysis revealed the highest picroside-II content (2.34%) in 50:50 hydroethanolic composition with a gradual fall to attain lowest in water (0.75%). LC-MS/MS profiling demonstrated significant qualitative differences among extracts. The study underscores the need for scientifically optimised solvent selection to ensure extract standardisation and eco-tuned phyto-pharmaceutical development.