GC- MS, FTIR, UV Analysis and in vitro Antioxidant Activity of a Nigeria Poly Herbal Mixture: Pax Herbal Bitters

Abstract

Objective:The use of herbal products by the majority is primarily based on the belief that herbal drugs are safe, without any side effects, accessible and available at minimal cost. However, there is need for quality assurance of the botanicals in these products in order to meet the demands of product quality and efficacy. In this study, we aimed at identifying the chemical compositions of Pax herbal bitters towards a better understanding of its pharmacological claims. Methods: Pax herbal bitters purchased from licensed pharmacies in Nigeria was extracted separately with n-Hexane, Dichloromethane (DCM) and methanol. DPPH radical scavenging activity, total phenolic and total flavonoid content analysis of the various extracts were carried out. Chemical analysis of the extracts was also done using GC-MS, FTIR and UV. Results: The DPPH radical scavenging antioxidant activity showed highest activity in the DCM extract with an IC 50 of 0.0167 while the total phenolic and total flavonoid content expressed as galic acid equivalents were found to be 20.00±0.23 and 2.55±0.01 for the methanol extract respectively and 5.39+ 0.01 and 2.54+ 0.14 for the DCM extract. The GC-MS, FTIR, and UV-VIS results showed that the herbal preparation contained compounds which may offer great pharmacological values. Some of the identified compounds include Isoborneol (0.61%, antioxidant, neuroprotective), Terpinen-4-ol (4.54%, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungi), 2, 4-Ditertbutylphenol (4.61% antioxidant, antifungi), Caryophyllene (9.33%, anti-inflammatory, anticancer), Isospathulenol (2.14%, immune-inhibitory), shogaol (15.16%, anti-cough, memory enhancer) and p-Heptylacetophenone (9.435%, anti-allergic). Conclusion: This study provides chemical basis for some of the claimed pharmacological actions of Pax herbal bitters.

Effect of Paxherbal Bitters on Inflammation and Antioxidant Status in Male Wistar Rats Fed a High Fructose Diet

“…Hence its elevation can precipitate a negative cardiovascular event (Ho et al, 2013). MDA's reaction with lysine residues generates lysinelysine cross-links which have been identified in apolipoprotein B (apoB) fractions of oxidized low density lipoprotein (OxLDL), and have been postulated to impair the interaction between OxLDL and macrophages and thereby to promote atherosclerosis (Ho et al, 2013) and indirectly causing hypertension which is a major hallmark of syndrome (Jegatheesan, and De Bandt, 2017;Elufioye and Mada, 2018). Antioxidants are major key players in mitigating the adverse effect of oxidative stress by continuous eradication of excess free radicals, and its depletion equals an increased oxidative stress induced cellular and systemic destruction.…”

“…iii. Shogaol (15.16%, known to be anti-tussive nd antioxidant (Elufioye and Mada, 2018;Anionye and Onyeneke, 2020). The results of this study showed that the detrimental impact of a high fructose diet causing inflammation and oxidative stress, as evidenced by the elevation of Hs-CRP and MDA levels and the reduction in TAC, were successfully ameliorating by Paxherbal bitters.…”