Anti-Inflammatory Activity and Quantitative Analysis of Major Compounds of the Mixtures of Derris scandens (DZSS) Formula

Background: The mixtures of Derris scandens (DZSS) formula is a Thai traditional medicine, which consists of 4 medicinal plants, including Derris scandens (Roxb.) Benth. (D) Zingiber cassumunar Roxb. (Z), Suregada multiflora Baill. (S) and Siphonodon celastrineus (S). The DZSS formula has been used in an oral dosage form for the treatment of muscle pain. However, the phytochemical profiles and the pharmacological activities of the combined DZSS formula have not been clearly investigated. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical profiles and the anti-inflammatory activity of the DZSS formula. Materials and Methods: The ethanolic extracts of the formula (50% and 95% ethanolic extracts) were prepared by using soxhlet extraction and which were analyzed by using HPLC. The anti-inflammatory activity of the DZSS formula was tested for its inhibitory effect against nitric oxide (NO) production in Raw 264.7 cells macrophage.The cytotoxic effect of the formula was determined by using the MTT assay. Results: The 95% ethanolic extract of the DZSS formula exhibited a pronounced anti-inflammatory activity with the IC₅₀ of 40.08 ± 2.78 μg/mL. The 95% ethanolic extract possessed a more potent anti-inflammatory activity than that of the 50% ethanolic extract and with no cytotoxicity. HPLC analysis indicated that the 95% ethanolic extract also had a higher yield of genistein and compound D, which are obtained the amount of 0.71 ± 0.00 and 18.89 ± 0.24 mg/g extract, respectively. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the 95% ethanolic extract of the DZSS formula possessed a significant anti-inflammatory activity but which is still required to investigate about biological activity in vivo and clinical study.