Preprint / Version 1

Antioxidant capacities and total phenolic contents of 20 polyherbal remedies used as tonics by folk healers in Phatthalung and Songkhla provinces, Thailand

Authors

  • Wipawee Chanthasri Natural Product Research Center of Excellence, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110 Thailand
  • Nuntitporn Puangkeaw Faculty of Traditional Thai Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110 Thailand
  • Nongluk Kunworarath Faculty of Traditional Thai Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110 Thailand
  • Patcharawalai Jaisamut Faculty of Traditional Thai Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110 Thailand
  • Surasak Limsuwan Natural Product Research Center of Excellence, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110 Thailand
  • Katesarin Maneenoon Faculty of Traditional Thai Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110 Thailand
  • Piyapong Choochana Faculty of Traditional Thai Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110 Thailand
  • Sasitorn Chusri Natural Product Research Center of Excellence, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110 Thailand

Keywords:

Antioxidant activity, Folkloric medicine, Traditional medicine, Tonics

Abstract

Uses of polyherbal formulations have played a major role in traditional medicine. The present study is focused on the formulations used in traditional Thai folkloric medicine as tonics or bracers. Twenty documented polyherbal mixtures, used as nourishing tonics by the folk healers in Phatthalung and Songkhla provinces in southern Thailand, are targeted. Despite traditional health claims, there is no scientific evidence to support the utilization of polyherbal formulations. Methods The phenolic and flavonoid contents of the polyherbal formulations and a series of antioxidant tests were applied to measure their capability as preventive or chain-breaking antioxidants. In addition, the cytotoxic activity of effective formulations was assayed in Vero cells. Results Ninety-eight plant species belonging to 45 families were used to prepare the tested formulation. The preliminary results revealed that water extracts of THP-R016 and THP-R019 contain a high level of total phenolic and flavonoid contents and exhibit remarkable antioxidant activities, as tested by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. The extract of THP-R019 also showed the strongest metal chelating activities, whereas THP-R016 extract possessed notable superoxide anion and peroxyl radical scavenging abilities. Conclusions The data provide evidence that the water extracts of folkloric polyherbal formulations, particularly THP-R016, are a potential source of natural antioxidants, which will be valuable in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. The free radical scavenging of THP-R016 may be due to the contribution of phenolic and flavonoid contents. Useful characteristics for the consumer, such as the phytochemical profiles of active ingredients, cellular based antioxidant properties and beneficial effects in vivo, are under further investigation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12906-018-2131-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. Keywords: Antioxidant activity, Folkloric medicine, Traditional medicine, Tonics

Author Biographies

Wipawee Chanthasri, Natural Product Research Center of Excellence, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110 Thailand

Faculty of Traditional Thai Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110 Thailand

Surasak Limsuwan, Natural Product Research Center of Excellence, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110 Thailand

Faculty of Traditional Thai Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110 Thailand

Piyapong Choochana, Faculty of Traditional Thai Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110 Thailand

Faculty of Oriental Medicine, Rangsit University, Pathumthani, Thailand

Sasitorn Chusri, Natural Product Research Center of Excellence, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110 Thailand

Faculty of Traditional Thai Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110 Thailand

Downloads