Abstract:
Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M. King & H. Rob. or Sabsue is a species in family Asteraceae. In Thailand, it is locally used to treat skin diseases, diabetes, as well as insect bites. Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex Baker or Krachai Dum belongs to Zingiberaceae family. In herbal medicine, it is generally used to promote health, to cure gastrointestinal disorder and anti-inflammation. Zanthoxylum piperitum (L.) DC., belonging to the Rutaceae family, is known in Thai name as Prig Horm. All parts of Z. piperitum are used to treat abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. Chlorogenic acid, 5,7-dimethoxyflavone and xanthoxylin are the active components in C. odorata leaves, K. parviflora rhizomes and Z. piperitum fruits respectively and these compounds were used as a standard marker in this study. For quantitative analysis, the results indicated that the chlorogenic acid, 5,7-dimethoxyflavone and xanthoxylin contents quantified by TLC-densitometry and TLC image analysis were not statistically significantly different (P > 0.05). For in vitro biological activities, the results revealed that each extract and its active constituents showed its antioxidant and anti-diabetic potentials. K. parviflora rhizome showed potent toxicity whilst C. odorata leaf and Z. piperitum fruit ethanolic extract showed weak toxicity against brine shrimp nauplii. As the result of cell viability activity, all tested samples exhibited no significant cytotoxic activity against 5 human cancer and 1 normal cell lines. For GC-MS analysis, each plant samples showed its major components of essential oil. Furthermore, the pharmacognostic specification of K. parviflora rhizomes were established in order to provide macroscopic and microscopic evaluation, physico-chemical parameters and chemical fingerprints.