Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant Activity, Stability, and Safety Evaluation of Herbal Tea Formulated from Nephrolepis exaltata
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Abstract
Background: Herbal teas are increasingly valued for their therapeutic and nutraceutical properties due to bioactive phytochemicals with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Method: Herbal tea produced from Nephrolepis exaltata was evaluated for its phytochemicals, macroscopic and pH assessment, proximate analysis, antioxidant capacity (DPPH radical scavenging, total antioxidant capacity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy using standard procedures. Accelerated stability studies were performed over 4 months at 40 °C/75 % RH. Acute oral toxicity of the herbal tea was assessed in female rats in accordance with OECD guideline 425. The hematological, biochemical, and histopathological parameters were assessed.
Result: Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, steroids, triterpenoids, and cardiac glycosides, while alkaloids, saponins, and anthraquinones were absent. Proximate composition indicated carbohydrates (44.6%), crude fiber (17.85 %), lipids (14.5%), protein (3.94%), ash (5.3%), and moisture (13.5%). The tea exhibited mild acidity (pH 5.04–5.12) and strong antioxidant activity (DPPH inhibition of 86.5% at 250 µg/mL, TAC of 22.06µg/mL ascorbic acid equivalents, and FRAP of 94.27µg/mL). HPLC identified gallic acid (8.034mg/mL) and quercetin (8.834mg/mL) as dominant compounds, while luteolin and formononetin only appeared during storage. FTIR confirmed the presence of characteristic functional groups of polyphenols, lipids, and carbohydrates. Stability testing suggested preliminary stability under accelerated conditions. Acute toxicity studies demonstrated LD?? >5000mg/kg, without significant alterations in body weight, organ morphology, hematological, or biochemical parameters.
Conclusion: The study characterised the phytochemicals of the herbal tea, evaluated its potency and safety, and established its preliminary stability under accelerated conditions.
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