Traditional tonifying polyherbal infusion, Jatu-Phala-Tiga, exerts antioxidant activities and extends lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract

Background The imbalance between the generation of free radicals and natural cellular antioxidant defenses, known as oxidative stress, can cause oxidation of biomolecules and further contribute to aging-associated diseases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant capacities of Thai traditional tonifying preparation, Jatu-Phala-Tiga (JPT) and its herbal ingredients consisting of Phyllanthus emblica , Terminalia arjuna , Terminalia chebula , and Terminalia bellirica and further assess its effect on longevity. Method Antioxidant activities of various extracts obtained from JPT and its herbal components were carried out using well-established methods including metal chelating, free radical scavenging, and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays. Qualitative analysis of the chemical composition from JPT water extract was done by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem with electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry. The effect of JPT water extract on the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans were additionally described. Results Among the extracts, JPT water extract exerted remarkable antioxidant activities as compared to the extracts from other solvents and individual constituting plant extract. JPT water extract was found to possess the highest metal chelating activity, with an IC 50 value of 1.75 ± 0.05 mg/mL. Moreover, it exhibited remarkable scavenging activities towards DPPH, ABTS, and superoxide anion radicals, with IC 50 values of 0.31 ± 0.02, 0.308 ± 0.004, and 0.055 ± 0.002 mg/mL, respectively. The ORAC and FRAP values of JPT water extract were 40.338 ± 2.273 μM of Trolox/μg of extract and 23.07 ± 1.84 mM FeSO 4 /mg sample, respectively. Several well-known antioxidant-related compounds including amaronols, quinic acid, gallic acid, fertaric acid, kurigalin, amlaic acid, isoterchebin, chebulagic acid, ginkgolide C, chebulinic acid, ellagic acid, and rutin were found in this extract. Treatment with JPT water extract at 1 and 5 mg/mL increased C. elegans lifespan under normal growth condition (7.26 ± 0.65 vs. 10.4 0± 0.75 ( p < 0.01) and 10.00 ± 0.73 ( p < 0.01) days, respectively). Conclusions The results indicated that JPT and its herbal ingredients exhibited strong antioxidant activities, in particular the water extract of the polyherbal tonic. These findings rationalize further investigation in JPT infusion as a promising agent for anti-aging and oxidative stress prevention.

LC-QTOF-MS Characterization, Antioxidant Activity, and In Vitro Toxicity of Medicinal Plants from the Tri-Than-Thip Remedy

“…A previous study reported that JPT has strong antioxidant activities, particularly the water extract of the polyherbal tonic. These findings rationalize further investigation of JPT infusions as a promising agent for antiaging and oxidative stress prevention [ 4 ]. The overall report generated interest in Thai drug formulas against free radicals from natural and Tri-Than-Thip (Tri-TT) remedies and is another interesting Thai drug formula.…”

Gastroprotective and Antioxidative Effects of the Traditional Thai Polyherbal Formula Phy-Blica-D against Ethanol-Induced Gastric Ulcers in Rats

“…The oxygen radical antioxidant capacity (ORAC) assay was carried out to determine the antioxidant activity of Phy-Blica-D extract against peroxyl radicals generated by thermal homolysis of 2,2′-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) according to the method of Wetchakul et al [ 37 ]. In addition, a superoxide radical (•O 2 −) scavenging assay was performed to evaluate the reduction in nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) according to the method described by Chanthasri et al [ 29 ].…”

Antioxidant Effects and Cytoprotective Potentials of Herbal Tea against H2O2-Induced Oxidative Damage by Activating Heme Oxygenase1 Pathway

“…The FRAP assay was carried out as described by Wetchakul et al [ 17 ]. A portion of an aqueous 10 mM solution of 2,4,6-Tri(2-pyridyl)-s-triazine (TPTZ) was mixed with the same volume of 20 mM FeCl 3 and 10 times volume of acetate buffer (0.3 M, pH 3.6).…”