PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILING AND COMPARATIVE ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY FROM THE LEAF, ROOT, AND FLOWER EXTRACTS OF JUSTICIA BETONICA L.

2026-07-15T18:51:34+0530

Oxidative stress, defined as the imbalance between reactive oxygen species and intrinsic antioxidant defense, is a major contributor to the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases. Medicinal plants are a rich source of bioactive compounds and have immense therapeutic potential due to their antioxidant properties. In the present study, the phytochemical contents and antioxidant properties were assessed from the methanolic extracts of the leaves, roots and flowers from the plant Justicia betonica L. which is traditionally used but scientifically under-explored. Quantitative analysis revealed significant variations in the concentrations of phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and saponin in different parts of the plant. Moreover, flowers had the highest amount of extract yield and saponin while leaves contained high concentration of phenolic and tannins. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, superoxide and nitric oxide scavenging assays. All the extracts showed dose dependent scavenging of radicals. The floral extract showed the maximum antioxidant activity in DPPH and nitric oxide assays with the lowest IC50 values, whereas, the root extract was better in superoxide scavenging activity. The findings suggest the high antioxidant activity of J. betonica, especially in its floral parts, indicating its possible application as a natural source of antioxidants in prevention and control of diseases related to oxidative stress.

ADVANCES IN POLYHERBAL FORMULATIONS FOR IMMUNE ENHANCEMENT: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

2026-07-15T18:51:41+0530

A well-functioning immune system is essential for maintaining health, preventing infections, reducing inflammation, and ensuring rapid recovery from diseases. However, factors such as stress, poor nutrition, pollution, and lifestyle disorders can compromise immune function, increasing susceptibility to illness. In recent years, there has been growing interest in plant based immunomodulators as safer and holistic alternatives to synthetic agents. Polyherbal formulations, which combine two or more medicinal plants in specific proportions, are designed to enhance therapeutic efficacy through synergistic interactions among bioactive phytoconstituents. Unlike single-herb preparations, polyherbal combinations provide a broad spectrum of phytochemicals such as flavonoids, phenolics, alkaloids, glycosides, terpenoids, vitamins, and essential oils that collectively strengthen immune responses. These formulations modulate both innate and adaptive immunity by regulating cytokine production, enhancing macrophage and lymphocyte activity, improving antibody responses, reducing oxidative stress, and suppressing chronic inflammation. This review discusses the growing acceptance of herbal immune boosters, which are natural remedies derived from plants.Through a synergistic method, oxidative stress is decreased, cytokine production is regulated immune cell activation is improved and macrophage and lymphocyte function is improved. Moreover, polyherbal formulations frequently balance dosage to minimize side effects while increasing bioavailability and medicinal efficiency.

International Journal of Indigenous Herbs and Drugs

PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILING AND COMPARATIVE ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY FROM THE LEAF, ROOT, AND FLOWER EXTRACTS OF JUSTICIA BETONICA L.

ADVANCES IN POLYHERBAL FORMULATIONS FOR IMMUNE ENHANCEMENT: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW