Assessment of phytochemicals and in vitro Antioxidant Activity of Aqueous Extract of Wesley Herbal Tea

Abstract

Wesley herbal tea is a blend of three medicinal plants—moringa, turmeric, and ginger—in equal proportions (1:1:1 w/w/w). These plants are widely used in traditional medicine for managing various ailments; however, limited information exists on their combined phytochemical composition in tea form. This study investigated the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant properties of the aqueous extract of Wesley herbal tea. Phytochemicals analysed included flavonoids, saponins, steroids, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, tannins, cardenolides, phenolics, terpenes, anthraquinones, and terpenoids. In vitro antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), nitric oxide (NO), ABTS, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays.Qualitative analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, steroids, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, tannins, cardenolides, terpenoids, phenolics, and terpenes. Quantitative analysis showed flavonoids (11.220±0.006 µg/ml), saponins (10.473±0.007 µg/ml), steroids (10.011±0.032 µg/ml), cardiac glycosides (8.147±0.007 µg/ml), alkaloids (6.433±0.033 µg/ml), tannins (2.323±0.009 µg/ml), cardenolides (2.213±0.009 µg/ml), terpenoids (2.033±0.033 µg/ml), phenolics (1.210±0.006 µg/ml), and terpenes (1.163±0.003 µg/ml). Wesley herbal tea exhibited higher antioxidant activity against ABTS and H₂O₂ than butylated hydroxytoluene, while showing lower scavenging activity against NO, DPPH, FRAP, and TAC. These findings support its health benefits and potential role in managing cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.