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A NEW NATURAL ANTIOXIDANT SUPPLEMENT – DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT

TÜNDE JURCA¹, LAURA VICAS^1*, ELEONORA MARIAN¹, SIMONA VICAS^2*, MARIANA MURESAN¹

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Various preparations based on herbs, when taken in sufficient doses and correct combinations, neutralize free radicals before they lead to the appearance of diseases in the body. In order to obtain a new nutritional supplement, we selected raw vegetal products: blueberry fruits (Vaccinium fructus), seabuckthorn fruits (Hippophaë Rhamnoides fructus), sage leaves (Salviae folium) and marigold flowers (Calendulae flos). The parts of plants originate from spontaneous flora. The pharmaceutical form of the final product is represented by antioxidant capsules. The antioxidant activity of the final product was demonstrated by the quantification of polyphenols (Folin-Ciocâlteu method), flavonoids (colorimetric method) of anthocyanins (spectrophotometric UV-VIS method). It has been also determined the content of heavy metals, elements that are good catalysts for biochemical processes. In vitro dissolution test is a quality parameter, in order to assess the bioavailability of the active ingredients in this pharmaceutical form achieved. The evaluation of the in vitro release of the active ingredients in the capsules under compendial conditions was performed on a number of 3 capsules, for 45 minutes according to the Romanian Pharmacopoeia 10th edition. The profile of the in vitro release of the active substances was carried out using 6 points, corresponding to the amount of active ingredients released at 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 45 minutes. The evaluation of antioxidant activity of the released active ingredients was performed by the α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging method (DPPH). It has been also carried out the evaluation of microbial load of required parts of plants in order to reduce the risk of an onset of infections.