Nutritional, antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory and toxicity assessments of an herbal formulation using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo approaches.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to assess the nutritional composition, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and toxicity properties of an herbal formulation (BF 2).

Methods: The proximate analysis of the BF 2 formulation was evaluated. The methanol extract of the BF 2 herbal formulation's potential to reduce ferric ions and function as an iron chelator was evaluated. Oxidative pancreatic injury, induced by FeSO_4, was also treated with different concentrations of the BF 2 herbal formulation using Wistar rats' pancreas via ex vivo method. The inhibitory effect of the methanol extract on α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes was measured using metformin as a standard. The effect of BF 2 formulation at 25 and 50 mg/kg was evaluated in male rabbits.

Results: The proximate analysis result of the BF 2 formulation estimated the contents of crude fat and crude protein to be 1.85 % and 26.25 %, respectively. Atomic absorption spectroscopy of the BF 2 formulation revealed the presence of magnesium (11.625 ppm) and sodium (4.879 ppm). BF 2 formulation had a better NO and DPPH radicals scavenging ability compared to the standard (Quercetin). The methanol extract showed a dose-dependent inhibitory activity on α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. 25 mg/kg of BF 2 formulation resulted in a significant (p<0.05) increase in serum testosterone level and a decrease in FSH levels. 25 and 50 mg/kg b.w. of BF 2 formulation reduced serum ALT and AST in rabbits. Furthermore, BF 2 formulation exerted α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory potential, coupled with its significant antioxidant activity; a more thorough examination of BF 2's toxicity profile is necessary in rabbits.

Conclusions: BF 2 formulation exerted α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory potential, coupled with its significant antioxidant activity. Therefore, further studies should be conducted on the BF 2 herbal formulation to evaluate its efficacy in higher animals.