Abstract
Objective: The objective was to develop the semisolid preparations containing extract of Thai polyherbal recipe with anti-inflammatory effect.
 Methods: Polyherbal ethanolic extract was prepared by maceration and determined for phytochemicals and antioxidant activity. Effects of extract on the production of pro-inflammatory mediator-nitric oxide (NO)-were examined in RAW 264.7 cells. Semisolid preparations, balm, and gel, were prepared and evaluated. In vitro release profiles and mechanisms of phenolic compounds, phytochemical markers, from the preparations were investigated.
 Results: Polyherbal ethanolic extract was dark yellow-green, viscous liquid with the yields of 8.2%. Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were 121.21±1.60 mg GAE/g and 26.55±1.38 mg QE/g, respectively. Antioxidant assay showed that polyherbal extract can scavenge the radical to a certain extent, with DPPH IC50 of 160.75±3.43 µg/ml and FRAP values of 91.94±4.17 mg FeSO4/g. In vitro anti-inflammatory test revealed that the extract inhibited NO production in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50 of 145.65±3.26 µg/ml. The yellowish-green color, homogenous and suitable for skin application polyherbal balm and gel was obtained. The higher release of phenolics from the gel was observed, with the cumulative release at 8 h of 119.0±4.3 mg GAE, whereas that from the balm was only 39.7±2.0 mg GAE. The phenolic release profile was found to be best fitted with the Higuchi model.
 Conclusion: The semisolid preparations containing Thai polyherbal recipe extract with anti-inflammatory effect were successfully prepared. The proper semisolid base and compositions are crucial for effective skin delivery as they influence the release rates of phytochemical markers.
Highlights
Traditional medicine has a crucial role in the health care system in both developing and industrialized countries
According to Thai folk medicine practitioners, the polyherbal recipe, which is composed of Z. cassumunar rhizome, camphor, Z. officinale rhizome, Z. zerumbet rhizome, A. galangal rhizome, C. aromatica rhizome, G. malaccensis rhizome, A. calamus rhizome, G. superba tubers, P. indica root, P. nigrum seeds, P. longum seeds, C. hystrix fruit peels, P. roxburghii leaves, T. indica leaves, A. concinna leave, C. asiaticum leaves, C. viscosa, T. zebrine and sodium chloride, is used for inflammation-related ailment treatment
The results revealed that polyherbal balm and gel had phenolic contents equal to 1.12±0.03 and 1.20±0.04 mg GAE per gram of preparations, respectively
Summary
Traditional medicine has a crucial role in the health care system in both developing and industrialized countries. The use of herbs in Thai traditional medicine can either be single herb or combination of herbs, a so-called polyherbal recipe. Polyherbal recipe strategy exploits the combination of several medicinal herbs in order to optimize the therapeutic efficacy with reduced toxicity through the use of multiple herbal compositions. The use of polyherbal combinations has been found in Ayurvedic and Chinese traditional medicine practices [1, 2]. Several pharmacological activities related to human health of traditional polyherbal combinations have been reported. Polyherbal recipes can be used to treat various ailments and problems, including arthritis [3]. The components and quality of these herbal products are likely to vary significantly between batches and practitioners
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