Development and Comparative Evaluation of Two Polyherbal Nutraceuticals, BobyGuards A and B: Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant Potential, and Nutritional Value

Abstract

Research in nutrigenomics highlights the ability of nutrients to modulate oxidative stress and reduce free radical production, playing a key role in chronic disease prevention and management, particularly cancer. Nutraceuticals, especially polyherbal blends, offer enhanced bioactivity due to synergistic interactions among phytochemical constituents. This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activities, and nutritional value of two polyherbal nutraceutical formulations, BobyGuard A (BGA) and BobyGuard B (BGB). Formulations were prepared using Curcuma longa, Piper nigrum, Dioscorea bulbifera, Spirulina platensis, Adansonia digitata, and Brassica oleracea. Standardization included assessments of phytochemical profiles, organoleptic, and physicochemical characteristics. Proximate composition, vitamin C, and mineral contents were measured, and LC–MS/MS was employed for the tentative identification of bioactive compounds. Antioxidant capacity was assessed using DPPH, OH, FRAP, and TAC assays. Both formulations shared similar qualitative phytochemical profiles, with phenols and flavonoids consistently detected. Quantitatively, BGA showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) levels of vitamin C, manganese, copper, sulfur, tannins, water and alcohol extractives, and total antioxidant capacity. Conversely, BGB exhibited higher protein, crude fiber, potassium, total phenols (6580.36 ± 238.10 mg GAE/100 g DM), flavonoids (1107.27 ± 9.74 mg QuE/100 g DM), carotenoids (403.52 ± 5.35 mg/100 g DM), and stronger antioxidant activities (OH: 86.03 ± 0.71%; DPPH: 91.09 ± 0.45%). LC–MS/MS identified 50 compounds in BGA and 53 in BGB, including curcumin, piperine, catechin, and pheophytin b. BGB’s superior antioxidant activity and richer phytochemical profile suggest stronger potential to mitigate oxidative stress and related cellular damage. In contrast, BGA’s elevated mineral content, particularly copper and manganese, may enhance enzymatic functions involved in metabolic and redox homeostasis. These findings highlight the distinct yet complementary therapeutic roles of both formulations, supporting their use in chronic disease prevention and management strategies.