Innovation: The combination of the ten different plant parts herbs into a formulation infers the potential of a high-potency antioxidant product/formulation. The plant parts consist of either the fruits or rhizomes or leaves or seeds. The formulation of the powdered herb blends as reconstitutable ready-to-drink herbal suspension. Furthermore, the packaging shall be in aluminum-lined foil packages

Sector/Industry Application: HEALTH (PUBLIC HEALTH)

Description: The onset of many disease conditions such as cancer, diabetes, metabolic disorders, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer, cardiovascular diseases and immunosuppressive conditions etc. have been attributed to oxidative stress through the generation of free radicals. Oxidative stress can be positively addressed using antioxidants which are substances (synthetic or natural) that inhibit the generation and propagation of free radicals. Some plants have antioxidant attributes because of their phytoconstituents and can thus be utilized for the development of herbal antioxidant formulations (decoctions, powders, granules, teas etc.). These herbal antioxidants can be used as adjuvant or alternative antioxidant therapeutics. Thus the study designed and developed a polyherbal antioxidant reconstitutable granule suspension using powdered plant parts (fruits, rhizomes, leaves and seeds) of ten different commonly available plants (Chrysophyllum albidum , Zingiber officinale, Curcumin aromatic, Phoenix dactylifera, Syzygium aromaticum, Cinnamomum verum, Elettaria cardamomum, Telfairia occidentalis, Nigella sativa, and Spinacia oleracea) in Nigeria. The herbal blend is unique because such has not been documented. Composite ingredients have inherent sweetening and flavoring attributes, hence artificial sweeteners and flavors were not utilized. The formulation properties (organoleptic, granule flow, redispersibility, pH, viscosity, and degree of flocculation) evaluated are acceptable. Furthermore, the antioxidant polyherbal formulation is miscible with water (good solubility) to form a ready-to-drink herbal suspension hence, a reconstitutable granule suspension formulation. This formulation is pourable (acceptable viscosity) and has a pleasant taste and odor thus patient/consumer usage and compliance is encouraged. The high antioxidant content of this formulation infers its high potency and portends its usefulness as an effective herbal antioxidant supplement or therapeutic for disease conditions attributable to oxidative stress. It also presents as a cheap and cost-effective formulation and is suggested for use in resource-limited countries like Nigeria. The product shall be packaged in sealed aluminum foil bags or pouches and appropriately labeled. Keywords: Oxidative stress, Disease conditions, Antioxidants, Polyherbal formulation, Reconstitutable granule suspension

Problem: The research involved the development of a polyherbal reconstitutable granule suspension formulation with high antioxidant potency for use in disease conditions such as cancer, diabetes, metabolic disorders, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer, arteriosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, macular degeneration and immunosuppressive conditions attributable to oxidative stress. It presents as a cheap and cost-effective formulation and is suggested for use in resource-limited countries like Nigeria where the disease burden of infectious and chronic diseases is high and healthcare provision is characterized by out-of-pocket payment by the patient population. The reconstitutable ready-to-drink granule suspension of the ‘Agbalumo-Plus’ formulation has high antioxidant contents and may thus reduce the risk of many diseases (including heart disease and certain cancers). Antioxidants scavenge free radicals from the body cells and prevent or reduce the damage caused by oxidation. Furthermore, the reconstitutable granule suspension (25 g per dose serving), the ready-to-drink formulation has the potential to provide nutrients such as vitamins and minerals per dose drink.