Effect of herbal combination and natron addition on the antioxidant properties of Guiera senegalensis J. F. Gmel (combretaceae) aqueous leaf extract

Abstract

Guiera senegalensisis among the medicinal herbs traditionally used for the management of maternal conditions in Katsina State, Nigeria. In the course of its preparation, G. senegalensis is, in most cases, mixed with Ipomoea asarifolia and Euphorbia balsamifera. Small amount of natron is often added in order to enhance the palatability of the herbal preparation. In this study, we investigated the impact of these two phenomena on the antioxidant properties of G.senegalensis. Phenolic antioxidant contents were assessed using Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) calorimetric assays. Antioxidant activity on the other hand was evaluated using 2,2ꞌ-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) assays. Herbal combination and natron addition were found to significantly (P <0.05) affect the antioxidant properties of G. senegalensis. High antioxidant properties were observed when G. senegalensis was extracted alone compared to when extracted in combination with either I. asarifolia or E. balsamifera or both. Although it increased the TPC and TFC values, natron addition was also found to be detrimental to the antioxidant activities of G. senegalensis.

Keywords: Antioxidant, Guiera senegalensis, herbal combination, natron, maternal healthcare