Formulation of herbal tea using Cymbopogon citratus, Foeniculum vulgare and Murraya koenigii and its anti-obesity potential

Abstract

ObjectivesThe term ‘herbal tea’ refers to a beverage made from the medicinal plants, herbs and spices. Herbal teas are non-caffeinated and consumed worldwide due to their therapeutic and healing properties. The present study aimed at the development of herbal tea formulation using Cymbopogon citratus leaves, Foeniculum vulgare seeds and Murraya koenigii leaves and its qualitative and quantitative evaluation. MethodsSensory evaluation of tea was carried out using 9point headonic Scale. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis, antioxidant activity using DPPH assay and antimicrobial activity using disc diffusion method was carried out. In addition to this molecular docking of different chemical compounds present in Cymbopogon citratus, Foeniculum vulgare and Murraya koenigii was performed against Alpha-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase also called at mass and obesity-associated protein FTO. ResultsFormulation 1 possessed better sensory attributes than other formulations. Physicochemical analysis of extracts indicated the presence of 20–22% moisture content and 13–18% ash content in all tested extracts. Phytochemical analysis of extracts indicated the presence of various phytochemicals like alkaloids, tannins, phenols, flavonoids etc. in all tested extracts. Antioxidant potential of extracts increased with the increasing volume of extracts. All tested extracts possessed higher antimicrobial potential against S. aureus as compared to E. coli. It was found that herbal tea extract possessed highest antimicrobial potential against both tested strains as compared to individual plant extracts. FTIR analysis of extracts indicated the presence of various functional groups in the extracts. In silico analysis of compounds indicated that tested compounds possess good binding affinity with FTO protein and show a possible good replacement as synthetic drugs to prevent and treat obesity. ConclusionThe Cymbopogon citratus leaves, Foeniculum vulgare seeds and Murraya koenigii leaves could become a good source of constituents for formulation of herbal tea which was acceptable to consumers and possess good antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-obesity potential.