PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTIOXIDANT EVALUATION OF A POLYHERBAL FORMULATION (MADHUMI)

ABSTRACT

                Free radical and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive molecules that are generated by normal cellular processes, environmental stresses and U.V radiation. ROS reacts with cellular components damaging DNA, carbohydrates, proteins and lipid causing cellular and tissue injury. Excess production of reactive oxygen species can also lead to inflammation, premature ageing disorder and several diseased states including cancer, diabetes and atherosclerosis. Organisms have developed complex antioxidant systems to protect themselves from oxidative stress. However, excess ROS can overwhelm the system and cause severe damage. Large number of antioxidants from different system of medicines includes Ayurveda, homeopathy, allopathic were being used and are still in great demand for the treatment of several chronic diseases. In present study, we have evaluated a polyherbal formulation -Madhumi powder for its anti-oxidant and free radicals scavenging activity by using various in-vitro methods. This particular polyherbal formulation was extracted with water and assessed for its phytochemical evaluation, total phenolic, total flavanoid, reducing power. The free radical scavenging activity was performed by using different in vitro antioxidant assays viz. DPPH, NO, OH, SO, ABTS and TBARS assays. The polyherbal formulation showed presence of alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, phenolic compounds, tannins, protein, amino acids and flavanoids. The phenolic and flavanoid content was found to be 11.83±0.037mg gallic acid equivalent/ gm of extract and 20.06±0.013 mg rutin equivalent/gm of extract respectively. The aqueous extract of Madhumi powder showed significant inhibition in all different anti-oxidant assays.

Key words: Antioxidant, Reducing Power, Phytochemical evaluation.