Abstract

IN-VITRO EVALUATION OF TWO POLYHERBAL FORMULATIONS CONTAINING NEOLAMARCKIA CADAMBA FOR THEIR ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY.

Kawaljit Kaur*, Dr. Sugandha S. Shetye and Valsamma Wilson

Abstract

The Sanskrit text on Ayurveda, Sanghar Samhita highlights the concept of synergism behind polyherbal formulations. When used in targeted therapy, formulations are more effective than single drugs. The present study was carried out to evaluate two formulations of Neolamarckia cadamba for their antioxidant activity. The selected combinations were composed by mixing 1:1 methanol extracts of seed powders of Azadirachta indica and Syzygium cumini with that of stem bark of Neolamarckia cadamba at a known uniform concentration. Antioxidant studies were carried out by standard methods. DPPH method was followed by assessment of the flavonoid content and total phenolics content. Nitric oxide radical scavenging assay and total antioxidant capacity of the individual plants and combinations were studied. The formulations of Neolamarckia cadamba showed synergy in DPPH method, Phosphomolybdenum method and in Nitric Oxide Radical Scavenging method. The synergistic effect was seen in the total phenolic and flavonoid content in the two formulations. Statistical treatment by Pearson’s correlation coefficient gave a factor of 0.74 between the results of the two antioxidant activity testing methods. The synergy between the herbal ingredients in the present investigation indicates that Neolamarckia cadamba in its formulation with Syzygium cumini and Azadirachta indica may offer better therapeutic effect can be reached with a single herb. Moreover, a lower dose of the herbal preparation may be needed to achieve desirable pharmacological action, thus reducing the risk of deleterious side-effects.

Keywords: synergy, antioxidant activity, polyherbal formulations, Neolamarckia cadamba, Syzygium cumini, Azadirachta indica.