Ameliorative effects of phytogenic formulations

Pashu Sandesh, 21 Jan 2026

Dr. Mudisetti Meghana, Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Dr. R.D.Patil, Dr. Geetanjali Singh, Dr. Rishika Vij

Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, DGCN COVAS, CSKHPKV, Palampur 176062

Introduction

Phytogenic formulations, also called phytochemicals or phytobiotics, are commonly referred to as plant-derived natural compounds, herbal formulas, plant extracts, or bioactive compounds that have the ability to promote animal production performance and improve animal product quality. The combination of two or more herbal extracts brings about increased therapeutic efficiency, enhanced pharmacological actions, faster relief, and reduced adverse effects when compared to conventional medicine due to a smaller dose of administration.

Polyherbal medicines are now widely in use throughout the world because of their high potential, easy availability, minimal toxicity, and environmentally friendly and they reduce the duration of treatment or the inpidual cost of anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial drugs, resulting in lower prescription costs.

The plant part (whole plant, root, stem, bark, leaf, flower, fruit, or seed), plant growth habit (grasses, sedges, herbs, shrubs, climbers, or trees), plant habitat (tropical, subtropical, or temperate), therapeutic action (antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, antioxidant, antiviral, anticancer, or immunostimulatory), and mode of administration (tincture, decoction, syrup, inhalation, or tisane). Furthermore, according to their primary active elements, they can be classified as glucosides, acids, polyphenols, polysaccharides, terpenoids, flavonoids, and alkaloids. Immune enhancers, hormone regulators, insect repellents, antimicrobial compounds, anti-stress agents, hunger stimulants, reproductive regulators, fattening agents, lactation regulators, and disease management agents are additional categories for phytogenic feed additives.

Anti-inflammatory effect

Polyherbal medicines may help prevent inflammation by inhibiting pro-inflammatory enzymes involved in the production of inflammatory molecules, such as cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX); by using antioxidants to scavenge free radicals and reactive oxygen species that are generated during inflammatory processes, thereby reducing oxidative stress and inflammation by modulating the immune system and reducing inflammation through regulation of the immune cells' (such as macrophages, T cells, and B cells) activities; and by stabilization of cell membranes and prevention of the release of pro-inflammatory molecules, such as cytokines and chemokines. Mice with carrageenan-induced paw oedema were utilized to test the anti-inflammatory properties of phytogenic formulation, a polyherbal medication used as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory. With greater effectiveness at 250 mg/kg body weight, phytogenic formulation showed notable anti-inflammatory benefits in a time-dependent way.

Antioxidant effect

Ability of antioxidant compounds to decrease oxidative stress by chelating and scavenging free radicals or modulating the activities and levels of antioxidant enzymes. Phenolic compounds such as phenols, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, and steroids exhibit antioxidant properties. The use of polyherbal formulations for their antioxidant qualities has gained interest in recent times due to their ability to protect from free radical-associated risks. Various methods, such as DPPH radical scavenging activity, FRAP assay, ABTS radical cation scavenging activity, hydroxyl free radical-scavenging activity, scavenging of superoxide radical, nitric oxide radical scavenging capacity, lipid peroxidation assay, and in vivo antioxidants in albino rats, have been used to confirm the antioxidant activity of these polyherbal formulations. Some of the polyherbal formulations, such as Livergen, PNK, Karisalai Karpam, and HP-4, were found to show significant antioxidant activity by increasing the levels of various antioxidant enzymes and reducing the levels of TBARS, which is a marker of oxidative damage.

Anti-cancer activity

Phytochemicals such as polyphenols and flavonoids have potent anticancer activities by involving regulation of various signal transduction pathways of cancer cell growth and suppression and proliferation of oncogenes and formation of tumors, modulation of enzyme activity, induction of apoptosis, reduction, oxidation, regulation of hormone metabolism, and stimulation of the immune system and DNA repair.

Hepatoprotective effect

In animal models, formulations such as DRHM®, hydroalcoholic polyherbal formulation (HAF), Livshis, polyherbal tablet formulations (PTF-1, PTF-2), RVSPHF567, polyherbal syrup, Livomyn, Icturn, J-deenar, Gongronema latifolia, Ocimum gratissimum, and Vernonia amygdalina, Habb-e-Asgand, DRDC/AY/8060, and a polyherbal preparation containing Phyllanthus amarus, Boerhavia diffusa, and Tephrosia purpurea were found to have notable hepatoprotective effects on the liver.

Antimicrobial activity

Various polyherbal medicines show high antimicrobial activity due to the presence of alkaloids, phenols, glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, salicylic acid, and terpenes. Tannins are water-soluble polyphenols found in many plant foods. They are effective antibacterial agents against various pathogens. Lipophilic flavonoids can significantly disrupt the microbial cell membrane. Alkaloids have anti-tumor, pain-relieving, antispasmodic, and bacteria-fighting properties. Saponins are known for their anti-cancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. Most polyherbal formulations showed combined broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal activity. Their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranged from 0.625 to 10 mg/mL. Some formulations, such as Ambrex, Chyawanprash, Plashbijadi churna, Vranahitkara ghruta, NOQ19, and polyherbal nano colloids, exhibited antimicrobial activity similar to that of standard drugs.

Immunomodulatory activity

The immunomodulatory effects of many phytogenic feed additives and herbal ingredients have been studied in vitro. Extracts of dandelion, mustard (Brassica juncea), safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), thistle (Silybum marianum), turmeric (Curcuma longa), reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum), and shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes) have been evaluated using chicken lymphocytes and macrophages, and most extracts showed immune-activating properties, including the inhibition of tumor growth and stimulation of innate immunity.

Neuroprotective activity

Polyphenols possess neuroprotective properties along with other properties like anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory as well. Two of the most common and researched polyphenols are flavonoids and resveratrol, both of which have a major impact on brain health and cognitive function. The blood-brain barrier, a selective permeability barrier that protects the brain from harmful chemicals, can be overcome by polyphenols. Similarly, resveratrol, a polyphenol found in grapes and red wine, has demonstrated neuroprotective qualities by activating sirtuin receptors (SIRT1), which are in charge of mitochondrial functioning and cellular aging. 

Conclusion

Phytogenic formulations possess different properties like anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective activity, etc., transforming the treatment strategies by shifting from chemical drugs exhibiting adverse effects to plant-based formulations.