Synergistic Effect of Polyherbal Extract Containing Indigenous Medicinal Plants
S. Sudha *
Department of Pharmacology, Srinivasan College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Samayapuram, Trichy – 621112, India.
A. Sneha
Department of Pharmacology, Srinivasan College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Samayapuram, Trichy – 621112, India.
A. Punitha
Department of Pharmacology, Srinivasan College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Samayapuram, Trichy – 621112, India.
S.P. Sargunan
Department of Pharmacology, Srinivasan College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Samayapuram, Trichy – 621112, India.
K. Vishwa
Department of Pharmacology, Srinivasan College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Samayapuram, Trichy – 621112, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The aim of the present study is synergistic effect of polyherbal containing indigenous medicinal plants, including antioxidant and immunostimulatory effects of polyherbal extracts derived from Morinda citrifolia, Annona muricata, and Curcuma caesia. Synergism, the enhanced biological effect of combined agents over individual ones, plays a pivotal role in polyherbal formulations (PHFs), improving therapeutic efficacy while minimizing toxicity. The selected medicinal plants, known for their rich phytochemical profiles and traditional uses, were extracted using ethanol in a Soxhlet apparatus. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of key constituents such as tannins, sterols, glycosides, flavonoids, quinones, terpenoids, and phenols. GC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of bioactive compounds, including turmerone, known for its potent pharmacological activities. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated through in vitro assays, namely DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging methods. The results indicated significant free radical scavenging activity, with the combination extracts exhibiting greater efficacy than individual ones, validating synergistic interaction. Further, the phagocytosis assay demonstrated notable immunostimulatory potential, with increased phagocyte index values in treated groups compared to controls. The synergistic effect was quantitatively assessed using fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) indices, confirming improved antioxidant activity in the combined extracts. Toxicity assessment through brine shrimp lethality bioassay showed low cytotoxicity across tested concentrations, supporting the safety profile of the formulations. This research highlights the therapeutic promise of these polyherbal combinations, especially for developing cost-effective, natural antioxidant and immunostimulatory agents. The study also supports traditional knowledge with scientific validation and encourages further exploration of synergistic herbal therapies in modern medicine.
Keywords: Polyherbal formulation, Morinda citrifolia, Annona muricata, Curcuma caesia, antioxidant activity, immunostimulant, toxicity