title: Antioxidant Potential of the Polyherbal Formulation "ImmuPlus": A Nutritional Supplement for Horses.
abstract: In order to counteract harmful effects of oxidative stress due to pathological conditions or physical exercise, horses are often administered dietary supplements having supposed high antioxidant activities. The aim of the present study was to identify the in vitro antioxidant potential of "ImmuPlus", a polyherbal formulation (Global Herbs LTD, Chichester, West Sussex, Great Britain), containing three medicinal plants (Withania somnifera, Tinospora cordifolia, and Emblica officinalis), known in Ayurveda for their use in human disease treatment. Extracts obtained by different solvents (water, methanol, ethanol, acetone, and hexane) were tested for total antioxidant capacity, total reducing power, scavenging activity against DPPH radical, and total polyphenol and flavonoid contents. Our results showed that, except as regards hexane, all the used solvents are able to extract compounds having high antioxidant activity, even when compared to ascorbic acid. Regression analysis showed significant correlations between antioxidant properties and polyphenol/flavonoid contents, indicating the latter, known for their beneficial effects on health of human and animal beings, as major components responsible for the strong antioxidant capacities. Moreover, obtained results suggest the effective role of the polyherbal mixture as good source of antioxidants in horses.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4177-1840
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cecchini
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariateresa
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-5757-5778
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paciolla
authors.affiliation: Consiglio per la Ricerca e la Sperimentazione in Agricoltura-Unità di Ricerca per la Zootecnia Estensiva, 85054 Muro Lucano, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Rocchina
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Caputo
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bavoso