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

Wipawee Chanthasri,Piyapong Choochana,Patcharawalai Jaisamut,Surasak Limsuwan,Katesarin Maneenoon,Nuntitporn Puangkeaw,Nongluk Kunworarath,Sasitorn Chusri

doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2131-y

Wipawee Chanthasri, Piyapong Choochana + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-018-2131-y

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Abstract

BackgroundUses 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.MethodsThe 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.ResultsNinety-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.ConclusionsThe 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.

Highlights

Uses of polyherbal formulations have played a major role in traditional medicine
Thirteen formulas are prescribed by seven folk healers from Songkhla province, and seven formulas are used by four folk healers from Phatthalung province (Fig. 1)
Extraction yields obtained for the formulation extracts ranged from 2.67–11.83%. The results of this experiment revealed that maximum levels of Total phenolic content (TPC) were found in the water extract of Traditional herbal preparation (THP)-R016 (384.6 ± 3.1 mg GAE/g extract), which was followed by THP-R019 (347.4 ± 12.0 mg GAE/g extract), THP-R010 (269.8 ± 11.1 mg GAE/g extract), THP-R015 (211.0 ± 2.9 mg GAE/g extract), and THP-R014 (207.2 ± 8.2 mg GAE/g extract), while the minimum value was observed in THP-R001 (39.3 ± 5.3 mg GAE/g extract)

Summary

Introduction

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. There is no scientific evidence to support the utilization of polyherbal formulations. Traditional medicine, especially herbal therapies, has a crucial role in the health care system in both developing and industrialized countries. According to recent survey results, the percentage taking herbal supplements was almost 20% in Europe [1]. In several countries, such as Nigeria [2], Turkey [3], Saudi Arabia [4], and Thailand [5], more than 40% of informants have used herbal medicine. Effective antioxidants can delay or inhibit the oxidation of biomolecules, especially the polyunsaturated fatty acids of cell membranes, or prevent oxidative DNA damage, which affected several

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