Evaluation of in vitro antioxidant capacity and reducing potential of polyherbal drug- Bhāraṅgyādi.

BACKGROUND

Present work was designed to investigate antioxidant activity of polyherbal formulation in search for new, safe and inexpensive antioxidant. Clerodendrum serratum, Hedychium spicatum and Inula racemosa, were extensively used in ayurvedic medicine and were investigated together in the form of polyherbal compound (Bhāraṅgyādi) for their antioxidant potential.

METHODS

Hydroalcoholic extract was prepared from the above samples and was tested for total reducing power and in vitro antioxidant activity by ABTS(+) assay, Superoxide anion scavenging activity assay and lipid per-oxidation assay.

RESULTS

Reducing power shows dose depended increase in concentration maximum absorption of 0.677 ± 0.017 at 1000 μg/ml compared with standard Quercetin 0.856±0.020. ABTS(+) assay shows maximum inhibition of 64.2 ± 0.86 with EC50 675.31 ± 4.24. Superoxide free radical shows maximum scavenging activity of 62.45 ± 1.86 with EC50 774.70 ± 5.45. Anti-lipidperoxidation free radicals scavenge maximum absorption of 67.25± 1.89 with EC50 is 700.08 ± 6.81. Ascorbic acid was used as standard with IC50 value is 4.6 μg/ml. The result suggests polyherbal formulation to be a good potential for antioxidant activity. Oxidative stress results from imbalance between free radical-generation and radical scavenging systems. This will lead to tissue damage and oxidative stress.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, we strongly suggest that Polyherbal compounds are source of potential antioxidant for radical scavenging. The highly positive correlation of antiradical scavenging activity and total polyphenolic content in Polyherbal compounds indicates that polyphenols are important components which could be used for the free radical scavenging activity. Further study is needed for isolation and characterization of the active moiety responsible for biological activity and to treat in various stress condition.