Antioxidant Potential And Functional Group Characterization Of Medicinal Plant Extracts: Application In Herbal Cream Development

Abstract

The current work examines the phytochemical makeup, antioxidant capacity, and FTIR-based functional group characterisation of extracts from Tecoma stans, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Cinnamomum zeylanicum before incorporating them into an herbal cream formulation. Secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids, terpenoids, phenols, glycosides, and saponins, which are known to contribute to antioxidant activity, were found using qualitative phytochemical screening. When DPPH, ABTS, and nitric oxide radical scavenging assays were used to evaluate antioxidant capability, C. zeylanicum showed the best radical scavenging efficiency of all the extracts. In comparison to the separate extracts, the three extracts worked in concert to provide IC₅₀ values that were noticeably lower in every assay. The phytochemical results were validated by FTIR spectral analysis, which also verified the presence of functional groups such hydroxyl, amine, carbonyl, and aromatic chemicals. After being tested for physicochemical characteristics such as pH, viscosity, spread ability, washability, and stability, a herbal cream made using these extracts was determined to be appropriate for topical use. Overall, the study shows how these medicinal plants can be used to create stable and appealing herbal formulations and highlights their potential as natural antioxidant sources.