Formulation and scrutinization of a polyherbal combination containing Berberis aristata, Andrographis paniculata and Thevetia peruviana for its in vitro antioxidant and anti-cancer potential

Abstract

Herbal medicines are known for their active potential with high safety profile in humans for various disorders. This study was based on the anticancer potential of three widely used plants in the form of a polyherbal combination, which was designed to assess the antioxidant and cytotoxic potential of a polyherbal combination (2:1:1) and its prepared chitosan nanoparticles. Polyherbal combination was prepared at different ratios of plant extracts. Chitosan nanoparticles were prepared using ionic gelation method. Polyherbal combination (2:1:1) was characterized qualitatively and quantitatively by ultraviolet spectroscopy. The characterization of developed nanoparticles was done by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. HepG2 cells were used to assess the cytotoxicity of different polyherbal combinations as well as prepared chitosan nanoparticles while 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay was performed to assess the antioxidant potential of selected polyherbal combination and its chitosan nanoparticles. Content of berberine, andrographolide and rosmarinic acid in polyherbal combination (2:1:1) was found to be 2.188, 0.472 and 0.264%w/w. Cytotoxicity of different polyherbal combinations (2:1:1, 1:1:1, 1:1:2 and 1:2:1) and its prepared chitosan nanoparticles (2:1:1) against HepG2 cells were found to be at an IC50 of 13.96, 16.47, 15.20, 16.21 and 15.67µg/ml respectively. 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity of Polyhebral combination (2:1:1) and its prepared chitosan nanoparticles (2:1:1) showed potent antioxidant potential. The developed Polyherbal combination (2:1:1) and its prepared chitosan nanoparticles was found to possess antioxidant and anticancer potential.