Antioxidant Potential of a Novel Polyherbal Formulation: DM-15.

The study aimed to investigate the phytochemical screening and antioxidant potential of a novel polyherbal formulation DM-15, comprising Cucumis sativus L., Momordica charantia and Azadirachta indica. C. sativus, M. charantia and A. indica were blended together and preserved under -80°C for 24 hours. The crystallized DM-15 was obtained from freeze-drying. DM-15 was subjected to phytochemical screening and was tested in vitro antioxidant contents using total phenolics content (TPC) and total flavonoids content (TFC). Its antioxidant activities were also assessed using 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) radical scavenging assays. All determinations of antioxidant activities were performed in triplicates. All data were presented as mean ± SD. Analysis of variance and significant difference among means were tested by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's multiple comparison test. Statistical significance was accepted with (P < 0.05), indicating significant difference and 95% of confidence intervals. Statistical analysis was performed using Prism software. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, sterols and cardiac glycosides. According to ABTS, the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of ascorbic acid (AA), trolox and DM-15 were 1.50 ± 1.15 µg/ml, 0.78 ± 0.06 µg/ml and 92.46 ± 1.78 µg/ml respectively. For DPPH, the IC50 values were 2.57 ± 1.02 µg/ml, 6.85 ± 2.32 µg/ml and 1007.33 ± 4.04 µg/ml for AA, trolox and DM-15 respectively. The FRAP values equivalent to 1 µM FeSO4 of AA, trolox and DM-15 were 52.76 ± 6.46 µg/ml, 53.28 ± 1.28 µg/ml and 22125.07 ± 41.88 µg/ml respectively. TFC of DM-15 was 2.56 ± 0.39 mg of RU/g whereas the TPC value was 10.23 ± 0.20 mg GAE/g. The antioxidant capabilities of the polyherbal DM-15 were ascertained. Knowing the antioxidant properties DM-15, further investigation suggested to investigate its roles in various ailments including cancer and diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]