Acute toxicity study on artifacts from Prasaplai preparation, a Thai traditional medicine

Prasaplai is a drug preparation composed of 12 ingredients including parts of Allium sativum, Acorus calamus, Castanopsis hystrix [Castanopsis purpurella], Curcuma zedoaria, Eleutherine palmifolia, Nigella sativa, Piper chaba, P. nigrum, Zingiber officinale and Z. cassumunar, which is listed in the Thai traditional common household drug list for relieving dysmenorrhea and adjusting the cycle of menstruation [1,2]. Three fatty acid ester artifacts, (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-(3,4dimethoxyphenyl)but-3-en-1-yl palmitate (3) originated during storage by the interaction of components in Prasaplai [3,4] were synthesized for toxicity testing. These three artificial esters were subjected to acute toxicity testing in mice and the results showed that all compounds had LD₅₀ more than 300mg/kg. In addition, the artifacts formation versus time was also studied by analysis with HPLC and we found that the amount of artifacts formation became saturation after 2 months of storage. The toxicity and the amount of artifacts formation information are crucial for safety usage of the Prasaplai preparation.

References: 1. National essential drug list committee, National List of Essential Drugs A.D.1999. p 2.

2. Poomchusri, NT. (1973) Ayurvedic study. 2nd edn, Bangkok; Promjakkanpimp, p194.

3. Nualkaew, S. et al. (2004) Planta Med 70:1243–46.

4. Tangyuenyongwatana, P., Gritsanapan, W. (2007) Nat Prod Res 21:990–7.