Quality Control of Herbal Products in the Egyptian Market Used for Some Gastro-Intestinal Tract Disorders

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the quality of three commercial herbal tea products present in the Egyptian market; commercial herbal Calm (1), commercial herbal Intestinal (2) and commercial herbal Anti diarrhea (3) in comparison with three prepared standard mixtures. Methods: Quality control of the three commercial herbal products and prepared standard mixtures was conducted through microscopical identification of their diagnostic elements, determination of pharmacopeial constants, and detection of contaminations. Analysis of essential oil content and estimation of the main active constituents were performed using GC/MS and HPLC respectively. Antimicrobial activity, toxicological study, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities were carried out on 80% methanolic extract of the three commercial herbal teas in comparison with corresponding standard mixtures. Results: Quality control of the three commercial herbal products revealed that some of the herbs are exhausted; some of the products are adulterated with other species rather than those of the formula; however, the three commercial herbal products are safe, free from aflatoxin, pesticides and heavy metals. They are active as antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Conclusion: The assessed commercial herbal products that are used in the Egyptian market for some gastro-intestinal tract disorders have proven their effectiveness as antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant drugs, which can be subjected for further clinical trials.