An appropriate solvent for the preparation of Prasaplai extract

Abstract

Prasaplai is a Thai traditional formulation for relieving dysmenorrhea and adjusting the cycle of menstruation. Three fatty acid esters, (E)-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)but-3-en-1-yl linoleate (1), (E)-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)but-3-en-1-yl oleate (2) and (E)-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)but-3-en-1-yl palmitate (3), were formed during storage by the interaction of components in the preparation. The recommended dose (1.0 g) of Prasaplai was separately extracted by exhaustive sonication with three different solvents; which are hexane, 40% ethanol and distilled water, and yielded 26.70±0.11 mg (2.7% w/w), 33.96±0.05 mg (3.40% w/w), and 49.83±0.30 mg (4.98% w/w), respectively. The crude extracts were analyzed by HPLC for contents of the four major compounds i.e (E)-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)but-3-en-1-ol (compound D), (E)-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)butadiene (DMPBD), piperine, β-asarone, and three artifacts. The results showed that only the hexane extract contained the artifacts while the 40% ethanol extract contained the maximum amounts of the major active anti-inflammatory components, and water extract contained only compound D. These results suggest that the 40% ethanol extract should be the appropriate extract for the preparation of Prasaplai in modern dosage forms due to the high content of active anti-inflammatory agents in the extract.