Physicochemical Characterization, Standardization and In vitro Determination of Radical Scavenging Activity of Zereshk e-Saghir, A Traditional Preparation, and Its Ingredients

Objective: Quality control and standardization of traditional preparations ensure their safe, pure and efficient prescription. Zereshk-e-Saghir (ZES), a folk remedy, has been recommended as a hepatoprotective agent in Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM). This study aimed at the evaluation of the physicochemical and phytochemical characterization, standardization, and in vitro antioxidant capacity determination of ZES and its ingredients. Method: Some qualitative and quantitative controls were performed like ash value, moisture content, extractable matter, phytochemical screening, TLC fingerprint and microbial contamination. Total phenolic and emodin contents of ZES were measured by spectrophotometric method to standardize this preparation. Finally in vitro radical scavenging activity of ZES and its ingredients were determined using 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Result: Regarding the physicochemical evaluation, the amount of each parameter (ash value, moisture content, and extractable value) was determined as documented characteristics for ZES components. Phytochemical screening of ZES ingredients indicated the presence of tannins in all the samples and the presence of alkaloids, steroids and terpenoids in a majority of the samples. Meanwhile, ZES exhibited no pathogenic contamination. The emodin and total phenolic contents (TPC) of ZES were reported 457.0 µg emodin/100g and 381.5 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g of ZES, respectively. Also TPC ranged from 3607.4 to 27.9 mg GAE/ 100 g of ZES ingredients. Meanwhile, the results demonstrated that ZES could scavenge DPPH radicals (IC50 value: 266.4 µg/ ml). Conclusion: The obtained results on quality control and standardization of ZES could be proposed as a monograph having standard characteristics.