title: Evaluation of free-radical quenching properties of standard Ayurvedic formulation Vayasthapana Rasayana.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cellular damage induced by free-radicals like Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species (ROS and RNS) has been implicated in several disorders and diseases, including ageing. Hence naturally occurring anti-oxidant rich-herbs play a vital role in combating these conditions. The present study was carried out to investigate the in vitro free-radical quenching capacity of a known Ayurvedic poly-herbal formulation called Vayasthapana Rasayana.
  
  
  METHODS
  Methanol extracts of Vayasthapana Rasayana formulation (VRF) were studied for in vitro total antioxidant activity along with phenolic content and reducing power. In vitro assays like DPPH, FRAP, ABTS scavenging to evaluate radical quenching potential were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The formulation has shown 94% at 0.1 mg/ml DPPH free-radical scavenging activity as against 84% at 0.1 mg/ml for standard ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ value 5.51 μg/ml for VRF and 39 μg/ml for standard). It has a significant higher ferric reducing potential also (OD 0.87 at 700 nm & 0.21 at 0.1 mg/ml for VRF and standard, respectively). The total phenolic content (gallic acid equivalent) of the VRF is 8.3 mg per g of dry mass. Total antioxidant capacity of the formulation, estimated by FRAP was 1150 ± 5 μM Fe(II)/g dry mass. ABTS radical scavenging activity of VRF was 69.55 ± 0.21% at 100 μg/ml concentration with a IC50 value of 69.87 μg/ml as against 9% and 95% by ascorbic acid and Trolox (at 70.452 μg/ml and 0.250 μg/ml concentrations, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In Indian traditional Ayurvedic system, use of VRF is in regular practice for mainly combating age-related disorders and diseases as many of the components of the Rasayana are known for their free-radical scavenging activity. This study has validated the potential use of VRF as an anti-oxidant to fight age-related problems.
authors.affiliation: Rajiv Gandhi Institute for IT and Biotechnology, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune-Satara Road, Pune-411 046, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Sourav
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mukherjee
authors.forename: Nayana
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pawar
authors.forename: Omkar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
authors.forename: Bhagyashri
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nagarkar
authors.forename: Shrikant
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thopte
authors.forename: Akshay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhujbal
authors.forename: Pankaj
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pawar
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D052160:Benzothiazoles; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D002839:Chromans / Q000378:metabolism; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000737:chemistry*; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010851:Picrates / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012015:Reference Standards; D013451:Sulfonic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D052160:Benzothiazoles; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D002839:Chromans; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D010636:Phenols; D010851:Picrates; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013451:Sulfonic Acids; D013844:Thiazoles; C002502:2,2'-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid; C004931:1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; C010643:6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid