Chronic Anti-Stress Properties of a Polyherbal-Formulated Tea (Citrus limon, Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinale, Allium sativum, and Moringa oleifera) Using a Non-Social Stressor Animal Model

Polyherbal remedies used for stress relief are considered a cost-effective and safe choice. This warranted a study to evaluate the chronic anti-stress activity of a polyherbal-formulated tea (Citrus limon, Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinale, Allium sativum, and Moringa oleifera) using a non-social stressor animal model. Chronic stress was induced using a non-social stressor mouse model. Sixteen mice were allotted into 4 groups of 4 mice each: Group one received 10 mL/kg of distilled water, while groups 2-4 received 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg extracts of polyherbal-formulated tea and 20 mg/kg of fluoxetine, respectively. The tea was administered orally, along with the various stressors, for 21 days. The mice were sacrificed, and blood was collected from the abdominal aorta for cortisol analysis, and the brain was homogenised for antioxidant analysis of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde. In the forced swimming test, the polyherbal-formulated tea at 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and fluoxetine increased the swimming time when compared with chronic stress control (p<0.01). In the tail suspension test, 10 mg/kg of polyherbal-formulated tea and fluoxetine decreased the time of immobility when compared with chronic stress control (p<0.05). Tea at 10 mg/kg and fluoxetine decreased the level of cortisol when compared with chronic stress control (p<0.05). The tea at 10 mg/kg increased the level of catalase and glutathione reductase when compared with chronic stress control (p<0.01). The tea had no effect on glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, or malondialdehyde. Conclusively, the polyherbal-formulated tea has stress-relieving properties.