Phytochemical quantification and optimization of synergistic antioxidant potency of Moroccan medicinal plants using constrained mixture design

Natural products provide a promising source of efficient bioactive compounds against oxidative damage. However, the interactions between phytochemicals affect the antioxidant potency. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant potency of twelve plants used in the central north of Morocco and to analyze the combined effect between the most active extracts. The main active plant extracts were subjected to binary and ternary combinations using the simplex-centroid design. Important synergetic effects were observed and the constrained mixture design allowed the optimization of the mixture presenting the highest antioxidant activity at 90.47%. The results from the present work showed that Moroccan plants such as Inula viscosa, Punica granatum and Crataegus oxyacantha could constitute a promising source for developing antioxidants. Moreover, the antioxidant potency can be enhanced using constrained mixture design.