Quality control of crude drugs and Phat-Tha-Pit-Ta formula for hepatic disease and its biological activities

Abstract

Phat-Tha-Phit-Ta formula evolved out of traditional Thai medicine and has been used in Prapokklao Hospital for many generations for treating liver disease. In spite of its reported effectiveness and efficacy, Phat-Tha-Pit-Ta formula has never officially validated through scientific evaluation, which is a must to maintain ethical practices. The objective of this study was to achieve quality control for Phat- Tha-Pit-Ta formula to ensure its safe and efficient use in the hospital by following the policies and guidelines set forth by Thai Herbal Pharmacopoeia and the World Health Organization (WHO). Besides quality control, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated to support the properties of the formula. Quality analyses of crud drugs in Phat-Tha-Pit-Ta formula showed that all of the crud drugs had a moisture content less than 10%. Some crude drugs had a total ash percentage of more than 5% namely, Caryota urens L. (Tao-Rang), Homalomena aromatic (Spreng.) Schott. (Tao-Kiad), Senna alata (L.) Roxb, (Chum-Haed-Ted), and Derris scandens (Roxb.) Benth (Thao-Wan-Priang). This formula was prepared by decoction and dried by spray dryer, and percent yield was recorded at 4.5 % w/w. The result of Phat-Tha-Pit-Ta formula extract showed that its was composed of various active constituents such as polysaccharides (3.96 % w/w) and uronic acids (0.64%). Most of the monosaccharide components were neutral sugars: ?-D (+)-glucose and galactose and other compounds such as phenolics, flavonoids and lactone. Furthermore, the water extract had no contamination of microbes, heavy metals or aflatoxin. For biological activities, this formulation was significantly potent on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities when compared with the control, thereby confirming improvement in safety and efficiency