Quality Control and Evaluation of Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities of Ethanolic Extracts from Ha-Rak remedy, Piper betle Linn., Garcinia mangostana Linn., and Their Combined Remedies

Abstract

Introduction:             Thai herbal remedies including Ha-Rak remedy (HR), Piper betle Linn. (PB) leaves, and Garcinia mangostana Linn. (GM) pericarps tend to relieve inflammatory-related atopic dermatitis (AD). While antioxidants have an important role in the prevention of AD.

Objectives:                To evaluate quality controls of plant ingredients and investigate the combination and each plant extract on anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, the total flavonoid content (TFC) and the total phenolic content (TPC).

Methods:                    Each dried plant material was tested for quality controls following Thai Herbal Pharmacopoeia (THP) criteria, extracted using a 95% ethanol maceration process, and then combined with a remedy. The inflammatory properties of each extract were assessed using the release of TNF- α from RAW 264.7 cells. The antioxidant properties were assessed using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging. TFC and TPC that relate to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms were tested.

Results:                      The quality control of all plant materials passed Thai herbal pharmacopeia standards. HR showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity. HMB-321, which proportion of HR:GM:PB is 3:2:1, showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity among the combination of extracts. Moreover, HMB-321 showed moderate antioxidant activities and capacities. PB showed the highest antioxidant activities and capacities. HMB-123, the proportion of HR:GM:PB is 1:2:3, showing the highest antioxidant activities and capacities among combination of extracts but showed low anti-inflammatory activity.

Conclusions:              HMB-321 could prevent and treat AD. The combination may also be evaluated for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in vivo models and clinical trials.