INVITRO ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIDIARRHEA PROPERTIES OF POLYHERBAL FORMULATED TEA (Zingiber officinale, Aeratium conyzomos, Anthocleista djalonensis, Allium satirum, Thespesia garckeana)

ABSTRACT

Polyherbal formulations have been historically valued for their therapeutic potential in various traditional medicinal practices. This study evaluates the in vitro antioxidant and antidiarrheal properties of a polyherbal tea formulated with Zingiber officinale, Aeratium conyzomos, Anthocleista djalonensis, Allium sativum, and Thespesia garckeana. The tea's antioxidant potential was assessed through various assays including DPPH radical scavenging activity, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide radical scavenging action, and hydroxyl radical scavenging action. Additionally, the antidiarrheal activity was evaluated using the castor oil-induced diarrhea and castor oil induced intestinal transit time model in mice. Results indicated significant antioxidant activity with potent scavenging of free radicals. Moreover, the formulated tea exhibited no significant antidiarrheal activity compared to the control group. These findings suggest the potential of the polyherbal tea as a natural source of antioxidants and as a non-effective remedy for diarrhea, supporting its traditional use in ethnomedicine. Further investigations into its pharmacological mechanisms and clinical efficacy are warranted to validate its therapeutic benefits and safety for human use.