Abstract
BACKGROUND: The influence of plant types and their ratios on the effectiveness of polyherbal formulations is a crucial yet underexplored area of research. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the optimal ratios of Phylanthus debilis (PW), Osbeckia octrandra (HB), and Artrocarpus heterophyllus (WR) leaf powders for a polyherbal tea to achieve the best functional properties. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A three-level factorial design was used to examine the combined effect of three independent variables (PW, WR, and HB) on antioxidant, antidiabetic, and β-glucuronidase inhibitory activities. The variables were coded at three levels (-1, 0, +1), resulting in 10 experimental runs, with responses tested in triplicates. RESULTS: The highest antioxidant activity was observed in mixture 4 (PW: WR: HB = 4:1:1) for most assays. P. debilis exhibited the lowest IC(50) values for α-glucosidase and β-glucuronidase inhibition, while O. octandra showed the lowest IC(50) value for α-amylase inhibition compared to the mixtures. ANOVA indicated that the models and model terms of the mixture design are statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) and the responses are well-fitted to the models (R(2) = 0.8484 to 0.9993). The aqueous extractability of the polyherbal mixtures was higher than that of the individual herbs. CONCLUSIONS: These study revealed that polyherbal formulations exhibit both synergistic and antagonistic effects on therapeutic efficacy. Mixtures 4 (PW: WR: HB = 4:1:1), 5 (PW: HB = 1:1), and 7 (PW: WR: HB = 1:1:1) were screened as the polyherbal mixtures having optimum values for selected functional properties. These combinations, along with individual herbal extracts, will undergo further testing to develop a tri-herbal tea formulation.