Phytochemical Profile and Antioxidant Potential of a Formulated Herbal Product from Sorghum bicolor Linn., Curcuma longa Linn., Bridelia ferruginea Benth and Honey

The use of plants in the treatment of human diseases is as old as human itself. Over the years, phytomedicine has gained more attention in both developed and developing countries. This study evaluates the phytochemicals and the antioxidant properties of a formulated herbal product (FHP) made from the leaf sheath of Sorghum bicolor, rhizome of Curcuma longa, stem bark of Bridelia ferruginea and honey. The ethanolic and the aqueous extracts of the different components and the mixture were evaluated. The chemical compositions of the extracts were determined via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HP-LC) at the same time, the antioxidant properties were investigated using the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The results of the phytochemical screening of FHP and the different components used for its preparation showed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, saponins, tannins and flavonoids irrespective of the extractant used. However, the values were higher in the aqueous extracts than the ethanolic extracts for most of the phytochemicals. For instance, higher values of alkaloids (9.57±0.01 mg/g) and saponins (7.35±0.01 mg/g) were observed in the aqueous extract of FHP while higher values of phenol (0.98±0.01 mg/g), tannins (0.68±0.00 mg/g) and flavonoids (40.54±0.05mg/g) were observed in the aqueous extract of Curcuma longa. Concerning antioxidant potential, the highest FRAP power was observed in the stem bark of B. ferruginea (1956.05±15.54mgAAE/g). This was closely followed by the FRAP value observed in S. bicolor (1359.89±27.20mgAAE/g). A total of 8 compounds was identified using High performance Liquid chromatography. These compounds include Gallic acid, Catechin, Ferrulic acid, Rutin, Quercetin, P-coumaric acid, Kaempferol and Apigenin. Most of these chemicals are known to possess health beneficial and therapeutic effects. It is conceivable therefore that FHP might exert significant therapeutic effects when used to treat specific debilitating medical conditions.