Preliminary evaluation of the antidiabetic and antioxidant potentials of a herbal formulation


Trends in Natural Products Research

Preliminary evaluation of the antidiabetic and antioxidant potentials of a herbal
formulation


Joseph Oisemuzeimen Oiseoghaede 1*, Fatima Yetunde Ayeola 1,2, Fatima Agbeke Agboke 1,21

  1. Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos campus, Idi-Araba, Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria.
  2. Advanced Diploma in Herbal Medicine Programme, Human Resources Development Centre, University of Lagos. Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.

 

Key words:

 Herbal formulation, Alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase, antioxidant, anti-diabetic.

 

*Corresponding Author: joiseoghaede@unilag.edu.ng
DOI:https://doi.org/10.61594/tnpr.v7i2.2026.165

 

Page No: 166–175
Volume: 7, Issue 2, 2026
Trends in Natural Products Research
Copy Right: NAPREG

 

 

 

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a disease that characterised by elevated blood glucose. The adverse effects of currently available medications call for a search for viable alternatives especially from medicinal plants. This study investigated the antioxidant and anti-diabetic activity of a herbal formulation, MHF containing Momordica charantia and Hunteria umbellata dried leaves. Phytochemical screening of the extract was done to determine the phytochemicals in the product. Quantification of the total flavonoids (TF) and total phenolics (TP) were done using ultraviolet spectrometry. Assessment of antioxidant activity using 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) inhibition, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and ferric reducing antioxidant capacity (FRAP) assays was done. Alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity were investigated to determine the in vitro anti-diabetic potential. Reducing sugars, cardiac glycosides, triterpenoids, steroids, tannins, phenolic compounds and flavonoids were present in the product with total phenolics of 25.36 ± 0.19 mg/g gallic acid equivalent (GAE) and total flavonoids of 77.51 ± 0.51 mg/g rutin equivalent (RE). The product had peak DPPH inhibition of 91.91 ± 0.11 %, TAC of 35.52 ± 0.32 mg/g Ascorbic acid equivalent and FRAP of 15.93 ± 0.29 μM Fe2+/ml. The product had significant alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase activity 90.60 ± 0.21 % and 91.72 ± 0.20 % respectively. The product had good antioxidant and anti-diabetic activities.