Phytochemical Content and Antioxidant Property of Polyherbal Formulation, Raktavardhak Kadha

Abstract

Raktavardhak kadha is a polyherbal formulation available in the Indian market as a nutritional supplement for the treatment of anemia. The present study was conducted to evaluate the phytochemical content and in vitro antioxidant activity of Raktavardhak kadha. A preliminary phytochemical analysis of Raktavardhak kadha was performed to detect the presence of various classes of phytochemicals. The total phenolic and tannin contents were estimated by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The aluminium chloride colorimetric method was used for the estimation of the total flavonoid content of Raktavardhak kadha. Antioxidant activity was analyzed by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay method. Phytochemical analysis indicated the existence of saponins, steroids, flavonoids, tannins, and phenolic compounds in the Raktavardhak kadha. The total phenolic content of Raktavardhak kadha was found to be 86.5 mg of gallic acid equivalent per milliliter. The total tannin content of Raktavardhak kadha was found to be 73.33 mg of gallic acid equivalent per milliliter. The total flavonoid content of Raktavardhak kadha was 95.4 mg of quercetin equivalent per milliliter. In the DPPH assay, the IC50 of Raktavardhak kadha was found to be 92.53 ppm. It is concluded that the RK is rich in phytochemical content and has antioxidant properties indicating its high medicinal values. It appears that the presence of flavonoids is responsible for the beneficial effects of Raktavardhak kadha in anemic patients.