Evaluation of the Aqueous Extract of Emblica Officinalis (Storg C) for Bioavailability, Antioxidant, and Immune-Boosting Properties Compared to Synthetic Vitamin

Akhina Tom¹, Zayeem Firoz Hussain², Firoz Hirehal Hussain Mirza¹ and Channangihalli Thimmegowda Sadashiva^1,

¹R&D Centre, Star Hi Herbs Pvt Ltd, Jigani, Bangalore-560105, Karnataka, India

²Department of Biotechnology, Oxford College of Engineering, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Cite this paper:
Akhina Tom, Zayeem Firoz Hussain, Firoz Hirehal Hussain Mirza and Channangihalli Thimmegowda Sadashiva. Evaluation of the Aqueous Extract of Emblica Officinalis (Storg C) for Bioavailability, Antioxidant, and Immune-Boosting Properties Compared to Synthetic Vitamin. Journal of Food and Nutrition Research. 2025; 13(2):106-113. doi: 10.12691/jfnr-13-2-8

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant, in-vivo immunomodulatory, and bioavailability profiles of Emblica officinalis (Storg C) in comparison to synthetic vitamin C using SD rats. The antioxidant activity of Storg C and synthetic vitamin C was assessed in vitro using the DPPH assay. Immunosuppression was induced by the administration of cyclophosphamide subcutaneously in all treated groups, and treatment with the test drug was continued for 14 days. For bioavailability analysis, a single oral dose of 200 mg/kg of Storg C and synthetic vitamin C was given to the rats, and pharmacokinetic parameters were measured at various time intervals using the LC-MS/MS method. Storg C exhibited significant free radical scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 44.24 µg/mL, outperforming the standard BHT (IC₅₀ 60.52 µg/mL) but slightly less effective than synthetic vitamin C (IC₅₀ 33.15 µg/mL). In immunomodulatory tests, Storg C at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg enhanced both primary and secondary immune responses in a dose-dependent manner, showing better performance in blood indicators and immune response compared to the control, negative groups, and synthetic vitamin C. Additionally, Storg C demonstrated superior bioavailability, achieving a maximum plasma concentration of 135.68 ng/mL and synthetic vitamin C (126 ng/mL) at a peak time of 1 hour. These findings suggest that Storg C has notable antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties, along with enhanced bioavailability, making it a promising alternative to synthetic vitamin C.

Keywords:
Antioxidant Bioavailability Vitamin C Immune response Emblica officinalis

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