Determination of phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activity of Rasayana, Triphala and antiageing herbal plants.

ABSTRACT

Antioxidants possess the ability to protect the body from damage caused by free radical induced oxidative stress and have antiageing property. ‘Theinga Dara Thanhitar’ book, written by Ashin Nagathein described that ‘Rasayana and Triphala’ drugs have the ability to prevent ageing and illness. This study was carried out to investigate the antioxidant activities of commonly used ingredients of ‘Rasayana’ such as Streblus asper Lour. (Okhne), Cassia fistula Linn. (Ngu), Tinospora cordifolia Miers. (Sindone-Ma-Nwe), Asparagus racemosus Willd. (Shin-Matet), Boerhavia diffusa Linn. (Payan-Nawa), and ‘Triphala’ such as Phyllanthus emblica Linn. (Ze-Phyu), Terminalia chebula Retz. (Phan-Ga) and Terminalia belerica Roxb. (Thit-Saint). Their absorbances were evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl -2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay method by using spectrophotometer. Yield percents of these plants were ranging from 4.05% to 28.6%. The watery extracts of Okhne, Ngu, stem of Sindone-Ma-Nwe, tubor of Payan-Nawa, Ze-Phyu, Phan-Ga, and Thit-Saint contain phenols and tannins which have free radical scavenging activities. It was found that the bark and stem of Okhne, tubor of Payan-Nawa and ‘Triphala’ had the least IC50 value i.e. the best antioxidant potency. Therefore, the findings from this study supported the experience-based findings of antiageing activities in ‘Triphala’ and ‘Rasayana’ to be evidence-based.