Nutritional, antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory and toxicity assessments of an herbal formulation using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo approaches

Objectives This study aims to assess the nutritional composition, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and toxicity properties of an herbal formulation (BF 2). Methods The proximate analysis of the BF 2 formulation was evaluated. The methanol extract of the BF 2 herbal formulation’s potential to reduce ferric ions and function as an iron chelator was evaluated. Oxidative pancreatic injury, induced by FeSO 4, was also treated with different concentrations of the BF 2 herbal formulation using Wistar rats’ pancreas via ex vivo method. The inhibitory effect of the methanol extract on α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes was measured using metformin as a standard. The effect of BF 2 formulation at 25 and 50 mg/kg was evaluated in male rabbits. Results The proximate analysis result of the BF 2 formulation estimated the contents of crude fat and crude protein to be 1.85 % and 26.25 %, respectively. Atomic absorption spectroscopy of the BF 2 formulation revealed the presence of magnesium (11.625 ppm) and sodium (4.879 ppm). BF 2 formulation had a better NO and DPPH radicals scavenging ability compared to the standard (Quercetin). The methanol extract showed a dose-dependent inhibitory activity on α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. 25 mg/kg of BF 2 formulation resulted in a significant (p<0.05) increase in serum testosterone level and a decrease in FSH levels. 25 and 50 mg/kg b.w. of BF 2 formulation reduced serum ALT and AST in rabbits. Furthermore, BF 2 formulation exerted α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory potential, coupled with its significant antioxidant activity; a more thorough examination of BF 2’s toxicity profile is necessary in rabbits. Conclusions BF 2 formulation exerted α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory potential, coupled with its significant antioxidant activity. Therefore, further studies should be conducted on the BF 2 herbal formulation to evaluate its efficacy in higher animals.