Arunporn Itharat

Thammasat University · Faculty of Medicine

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver cancer commonly found in adults. Previously, we showed the anticancer effects of Thai herbal plant extract, Dioscorea membranacea Pierre (DM), in HCC-bearing rats. In the present study, we further examined the proposed mechanism of DM, including apoptosis and antioxidant activity. Moreover, we used...

Background and purpose: Garcinia mangostana, simply known as mangosteen, has long been used by Thai traditional medicine because of its reported antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities for the treatment of skin infections. In this study, mangosteen pericarps were developed into a hydrogel patch to eradicate acne-inducing bacteria. Experiment...

Introduction: Diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar levels or hyperglycemia causing the increase of free radicals which increase the risk of various diseases. Ya-Hom Teppajid which consists of 45 plants and their properties had shown anti-diabetic activities in some herbs and the rest of the herbs have not been studied for these activities....

Introduction: In the Mahachotarata scripture, there was a blood tonic remedy known as Bhamrung-Lohit remedy in Thai which has been used in female adult to treat menstrual irregularities, abnormal menstruation, and for nourishing blood and body. The aims of this study were to determine the amount of total phenolics and antioxidant activities of Bham...

Background: Prasachandaeng (PSD) remedy has been empirically used in Thai traditional medicine to treat fever in bile duct and liver and cancer patients through Thai folk doctors. However, there have been no scientific reports on the bioactive compounds and bioactivities related to inflammation-associated carcinogenesis or cytotoxicity against can...

Among all cancers, the global incidence rate of breast cancer is the highest. Novel chemotherapeutic agents are needed to improve the existing chemotherapy outcomes and to reduce the toxic side effects. 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-H2DA), a royal jelly acid, had been reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-metastasis activities....

Inflammation is a common factor leading to pathogenesis of several chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, chronic metabolic syndromes, arthritis, and cancer. Trikatuk and Triphala are traditional poly-herbal preparations widely used in Ayurvedic and Thai traditional medicine. The present study aimed to investigate various combinations...

Prasachandaeng (PSD) remedy from the Thailand National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) has been used as an antipyretic for chronic fever in both adults and children for centuries. Its therapeutic effect in treating fever and its safety have not been studied in animal models. We evaluated its antipyretic activity on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induc...

Background and purpose: Benjakul (BJK) is a combination of five botanical herbal constituents widely used in Thai traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory remedy. This study aimed to develop a novel topical microemulsion containing BJK for clinical use. Experimental approach: The microemulsions were produced by a phase inversion temperature (PI...

Oxidative stress and antioxidant deficiency are hypothesized to be major causes of the development of non-communicable diseases. Polyphenols and flavonoids are potential antioxidants that can regulate cellular activity by inhibiting free radicals that are known to cause oxidative stress–induced cell damage in the body tissues. Vitamins E, A, C, and...

Ethnopharmacological relevance The two major theories utilized for diagnosis and treatment in Traditional Thai Medicine (TTM) are the Four Element Theory and the Herbal Flavor Theory. A TTM “Poh-Pu” Remedy has been effectively utilized in Thailand for cancer therapy for centuries. Aims of study To investigate anti-inflammatory activity and liver c...

Exploration of effective chemotherapy is needed for cancer treatment. 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-H2DA), a unique fatty acid from royal jelly (RJ), is reported to have antitumor activities. However, its mechanisms remain under-examined. This study investigated the antiproliferative and cytotoxic efficacy of 10-H2DA treatments and their underlyin...

In vitro Musa acuminata L. cv. ‘Gros Michel’ is a potential alternative source of secondary metabolites but low yield was obtained. Elicitation is used to increase secondary metabolite production by many plant species. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of salicylic acid (SA), an elicitor, on secondary metabolite accumulation...

Background: Utilization of Thai traditional medicine (TTM) was considered in menstrual-cycle-related signs and symptoms (MCSs) to evaluate women's health. TTM clinicians diagnosed the MCSs by signs, symptoms, and associated factors of patients including a physical examination to find patterns of imbalance elements and the origin of the disorder to...

Background and purpose: Sahastara (SHT) is a traditional Thai medicine for the treatment of musculoskeletal and joint pain. It consists of 21 plant components. A previous study demonstrated the anti-inflammatory activity of SHT on inhibition of nitric oxide production and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production, however, inhibitory effects on tumor nec...

This study investigated jasmonic acid (JA) elicitation of the callus of two roselle accessions: HS003 (orange-red calyx) and HS005 (dark-red calyx). The goal was to identify the optimal exposure period for production of total anthocyanin, phenolics, and flavonoids and for enhancing DPPH radical scavenging. Dark-red callus was cultured on Murashige...

Zanthoxylum rhetsa has been consumed in the diet in northern Thailand and also used as a medicament in ancient scripture for arthropathies. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the activity of various extracts from differential parts of Z. rhetsa via inhibition of inflammatory mediators (NO, TNF-α, and PGE2) in RAW264.7 macrophages. The chemical comp...

Background and purpose: Benjakul, a traditional Thai formulation for cancer treatment, is composed of five plants. This study aimed to assess the cytotoxicity of Benjakul, its five plants, and its isolated compounds against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Experimental approach: Analyses of cell cycle and m...

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is most common in adults and has a high mortality rate because of a lack of effective treatment options. We investigated the effect of a medicinal plant as a potential source of drugs against HCC. The rhizomes of Dioscorea membranacea Pierre (DM), Hua-Khao-Yen in Thai, are commonly used as ingredients for alternative...

Crinum asiaticum Linn. has been used in Thai traditional medicine to relieve inflammatory symptoms and treat osteoarthritis. There have been reports on its potent anti-inflammatory property but nothing on the effects of different pretreatments on its chemical properties and anti-inflammatory activity. Pretreatment of herbal raw materials is an impo...

Sahastara (SHT) remedy is a Thai traditional medicine described in the Thai National List of Essential Medicine (NLEM) for the relief of muscle pain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of SHT remedy extract capsule for treating primary OA. A phase 2, double-blind, randomized, and controlled trial study was used to...

This study aimed to investigate in vitro cytotoxic activity of selected plant ingredients from a traditional Thai remedy for the treatment of cancer patients against cancer cells occurring in women such as MCF-7 (breast cancer), SKOV3 (ovarian cancer), and HeLa (cervical cancer) cell lines. The plants and the remedy were macerated with 95% ethanol...

Ethnopharmacological relevance Prasachandaeng (PSD) remedy is a famous antipyretic drug for adults and children in Thai Traditional medicine used and is described in Thailand’s National List of Essential Medicine. Relationship between the taste of this herbal medicine,ethnopharmacological used and its pharmacological properties was reviewed. Aims...

Background and purpose: To investigate the pharmacokinetics of piperine after single oral doses of capsules containing Sahastara (SHT) remedy dried ethanolic extracts in healthy Thai volunteers. Experimental approach: Twenty-four healthy volunteers were divided into two dosage groups. They received a single oral dose of SHT remedy extract capsul...

Look Phra Ang Kob (LPAK), one of Phra Osod Phra Narai remedies, is the Thai traditional herbal compress ball which has long been used torelieve local muscle pain such asoffice syndrome.This compress ball consists of six ingredients including Tamarindus indicaL., Crinum asiaticumL., Zingiber cassumunarRoxb., Cinnamomum verumJ. Presl.Z, Nigella sativ...

Sea cucumber, Holothuria scabra, is an echinoderm marine animal that has long been used as a traditional therapeutic in various diseases due to its chemical composition and protein enrichment. Many researchers have extensively studied the efficacy of sea cucumber extracts for many health benefits in recent years. Inflammation is a complex process i...

Benjakul (BJK) is a Thai traditional remedy consisting of five plants: Piper chaba Hunt., Piper sarmentosum Roxb., Piper interruptum Opiz., Plumbago indica Linn., and Zingiber officinale Roscoe. It is used as a first-line drug to balance patient’s symptoms before other treatments. BJK ethanolic extract has been reported to show anti-inflammatory ac...

Natural products are used as alternative drugs in traditional medicine to treat infection and inflammation and relieve pain. Heartwood of Cassia garettiana Craib has been investigated as an ingredient in Thai traditional medicine for anti-HIV protease, but there is no report on its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. The objectives of t...

Skin ensures that a constant internal environment can be maintained in an ever-changing external environment. When a wound occurs on the skin, the inflammatory and proliferative phases are initiated in response to injury. Thai traditional medicine (TTM), using medicinal plants and ancient knowledge, has been used to treat wounds. Eight Thai medicin...

Introduction: Prasaprohyai remedy (PY) is a Thai traditional medicine that has long been used to treat the common cold and fever. Previous studies revealed that 3,000 mg/day of powdered PY capsule were able to relieve allergic rhinitis symptoms as effectively as 10 mg/day of Loratadine. PY consists of 21 herbs and there is a need for quality contro...

Piperine-rich herbal mixture (PHM) used in this study is a traditional Thai medicine that contains 21 oriental herbs. It is called “Sahastara remedy” and is officially included in the Thai National List of Essential Medicine since A.D. 2011. PHM has been used orally to relieve muscle and bone pains. It contains Piper nigrum fruits as a major consti...

Background: Piper chaba Hunt. is used as an ingredient in Thai traditional preparation for arthritis. Its isolated compound is piperine which shows anti-inflammatory activity. Piperine produces a burning sensation because it activates TRPV1 receptor. The TRPV1 activation involved with the analgesic and adjuvant effect. P. chaba Hunt. has not been...

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a non-infectious immune disease and incidents of the disease has continuously increased in Thailand. Ginger, a Thai herb, is used in food and Thai traditional medicine. This study was designed to assess efficacy and safety of ginger extract in comparison with loratadine for AR treatment. Methods: AR patients...

The aril (mace) of Myristica fragrans, known as Dok-Chan, is a spice that has long been used for treating stomach discomfort, peptic ulcer, and nausea. It is an ingredient in many remedies in Thai traditional medicine, e.g., Ya-Hom-Thep-Bha-Jit, Ya-Hom-Nao-Wa-Kot, and Ya-That-Bun-Job, which are used to treat dyspepsia and other gastrointestinal tra...

Dioscorealide B is an important secondary metabolite isolated from Dioscorea membranacea Pierre ex Prain & Burkill. The effect on secondary metabolite content of different concentrations of two elicitors [jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA)], and of medium status and JA exposure period were investigated. In the JA and SA concentration experi...

The herbal extract Benja-ummarit (BU) is a traditional Thai medicine with a putative cancer-suppressing effect. However, this effect has only been tested in vitro in human hepatocarcinoma cell lines. The present study determined the efficacy of a BU extract to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rats in vivo and established its anti-angiogenic...

Full Text | References | Cita on| Response Background: Prasaprohyai remedy (PSPR) is a Thai tradi onal medicine that has long been used to treat the common cold and fever. Previous studies revealed that PSPR powder can relieve allergic rhini s symptoms as effec vely as Loratadine. The usual dose was 3,000 mg/day; however, if the extract could be us...

Cancer Survivors need attention during palliative care. Painful chemotherapy and radiation therapy is major concern. In this scenario, physicians and nurses offer hopes, esteem for long-life with tolerance to patients by combined cancer therapy with foods. National and international agencies also set guidelines based on mechanisms and safer practic...

Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the anti-apoptosis effect of the extract from Phyllanthus emblica (PE) for the prevention of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI). Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats were given saline (control) or PE extracts (500 mg/kg/day) for 5 days before the induction of CI-AKI. Renal tissues wer...

A Thai traditional remedy called Benchalokawichian (BLW) consists of 5 plant species, Ficus racemosa, Capparis micracantha, Clerodendrum petasites, Harrisonia perforata, and Tiliacora triandra. It has long been used in Thai traditional medicine to reduce fever in respiratory tract infection, but there is no report on either cytotoxicity against can...

Encapsulation of plumbagin using cyclodextrins (CDs), including α-cyclodextrin (αCD), β-cyclodextrin (βCD), and γ-cyclodextrin (γCD) to form inclusion complexes was investigated to prevent the loss of plumbagin in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products. Computational simulations and phase solubility studies suggest that the complex formations of...

Background The root of Baliospermum montanum has been used as an ingredient of traditional Thai medicines for the treatments of several diseases including itching eczema, muscle and joint inflammation, and cancer. Few studies have been done on phytochemical components of this root. In this study, we isolated major compounds of the crude ethanolic e...

Introduction: Harak remedy is a Thai traditional medicine for anti-pyretic treatment. Some researchers reported that crude drugs and capsules of Harak remedy, which were distributed throughout Thailand, have been adulterated with the upper ground parts. Moreover, there is no recent report of quality control of the Harak products after marketed. Obj...

Introduction: Benjakul scripture consists of 5 herbs i.e. Piper longum fruits, Piper sarmentosum roots, Piper interruptum vines, dried Zingiber officinale rhizomes and Plumbago indica roots. Previous study showed that 95% ethanol Benjakul extract reduced release of β-hexosaminidase in RBL-2H3 rat basophilic leukemia cells and indicated that the Ben...

Background: The Sahastara [SHT] remedy is a Thai traditional medicine which has long been used for muscle and joint pain treatment. The SHT remedy has potential to develop as modern drug in extract form. The clinical safety of SHT remedy extract need to be study as a part of phytomedicine development. Objective: To investigate the clinical safety o...

There is evidence that optimal nutrition is fundamental to human health and in the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) later in adult life. The identification, production and consumption of functional foods worldwide can increase health benefits for all who can access and afford such foods subject to advice from nutritionists. Recent mee...

Introduction: Ya-Hom KAE-LOM-WING-WIEN remedy (KLWW) is included in the Thai National List of Essential Medicines A.D. 2013 and used for treating dizziness, fatigue, and sleeplessness. Quality control of plant ingredients and stability test of this remedy extract were ensured and controlled the quality of herbal medicines. In addition, standard qua...

Background: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) have become a worldwide problem due food security and lack of physical activity. The rapid increase may be due to interaction of genes/memes and environment, having adverse effects on the epigenome. A new package of nutrient-rich functional foods (FFs) or a package of micronutrients (based on healthy food...

Background The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of Benjakul (BJK) extract for treating primary osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee compared with diclofenac. Methods A phase 2, double blind, randomized, and controlled study was conducted. The BJK group received 300 mg of BJK extract per day, while another group...

5,6-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (HMP) is an active compound isolated from the rhizome extract of Dioscorea membranacea Pierre, a Thai medicinal plant that has been traditionally used in cancer treatment [1]. This research aimed to study the cytotoxic effect of HMP and to further analyze its apoptosis-inducing capacity in A549 c...

Bee pollen has been used as a food supplement and as a traditional medicine for thousands of years. Our study demonstrated that by in vitro sister chromatid exchange assay, Mimosa pudica crude bee pollen extract (0.005-5.0 µg/mL CE) from Chiangmai, Northern Thailand, increased genotoxicity in human lymphocytes at concentrations of 0.005 and 0.5 µg/...

The Pikut Trichinthalamaga remedy appears in ancient Thai pharmacy scripture, as a purgative, and includes Rhubarb (Rheum palmatum L.), Myrabulan fruit (Terminalia chebula Retz.), and Gamboge (Garcinia handuryi Hook F.). We investigated the cytotoxic properties of the herbal extracts using the SRB assay in human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines (LS1...

Objective: To investigate the antioxidant activities as well as phytochemical constituents of Antidesma thwaitesianum Müll. Arg. leaf extracts. Methods: The leaves of A. thwaitesianum were extracted using three different methods: blending with distilled water, maceration with ethanol and decoction. The chemical antioxidant activity of the plant...