*4.2. Plant Extraction*

*A. aspera* aerial and root parts, as well as *C. gigantea* and *C. procera* flowers, were carefully cleaned with running tap water and then with sterile autoclaved water. The material was shade-dried, indelicately pulverised with a motor and pestle, and then extracted. Using a Soxhlet extractor, a weighed amount (500 g) of the substance was extracted using solvents of different polarity, including water, methanol, hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol. Nearly 48 extraction cycles were completed, under reduced pressure and at a controlled temperature, using a rotatory evaporator. The extracts were then concentrated, dried, packaged, and kept in a refrigerator at 4 ◦C for use [35,36].
