The Evaluation of the Antioxidant Effect of Indigenous Herbal Formula (Kayam hodda) from Different Provinces of Sri Lanka in the Management of Postpartum Complications

Background: Postpartum complications stand for significant challenges in maternal morbidity and mortality along with neonatal development.Antioxidants, a key contributor to preventing postpartum complications such as labor exhaustion, healing lacerations on external genital organs, restoring vigor and vitality, supporting the involution process, and helping in the preparation and secretion of breast milk by preventing oxidative damage, have emerged as potential therapeutic agents to alleviate these complications by neutralizing free radicals, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS).The nourishment of blood (hematopoiesis) and high energy, the improvement of physique, and the holistic wellness of the mother are essential during the postpartum period.In Sri Lankan traditional medicine, a formula named "Kayam hodda" (KH) is the main and most important formula given at the onset of the delivery and during the entire postpartum period.The composition of the KH is different from the provincial vise in Sri Lanka.Aim: Therefore, the present study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of ethanolic extracts of the different KH formulas related to nine provinces in Sri Lanka. Materials and methods:The antioxidant capacity of the KH formulas was estimated using a stable radical, 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS).Results: In the DPPH assay, the Western province formula of KH (WPF) extract exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity [44.38 0.4% (44.38 mean; 0.70SD; 0.40SE)], while the Northern province formula (NPF) of KH recorded the lowest (7.43 0.73%).In the ABTS assay, WPF possesses the highest [60.47 1.39 (60.47 mean; 2.41SD; 1.39SE)].DPPH IC50 of aqueous extract of WPF is 21.95. Conclusion and clinical significance:This study directs future research on the antioxidant activity of individual ingredients and the benefits of antioxidant activity as a therapeutic strategy to overcome postpartum complications associated with harming radicals to restore the health of the puerperal woman through the preclinical and clinical studies proving the efficacy and safety of KH supplementation during the postpartum period.Moreover, this could be develop as a user-friendly nutraceutical by analyzing and finalizing the required dose, and frequency adjuvants, aiming to restore health with better postpartum care.