Phytochemical Profiling, Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities, and Nano-Spray Development for Muscle Pain Relief from Thai Ma-Khwaen Zanthoxylum rhetsa (Roxb.) DC.
6 affiliations
- 1Department of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Phayao, Phayao 56000, Thailand
- 2Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Phayao, Phayao 56000, Thailand
- 3Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Medical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao 56000, Thailand
- 4Department of Nursing Science, School of Nurse, University of Phayao, Phayao 56000, Thailand
- 5Department of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Klongluang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
- 6Naive Innova Co., Ltd., Phan, Chiang Rai 57120, Thailand
Abstract
Zanthoxylum rhetsa (Roxb.) DC. (Ma-Khwaen) is an economically important medicinal plant traditionally used for pain and inflammatory disorders. This study explored its phytochemical composition, biological activities, and potential for nano-spray product development. Methods: Ethanolic fruit extracts collected from five provinces in Northern Thailand were evaluated for extraction yield, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant activity, and anti-inflammatory activity. Extracts from Nan Province were further selected for DPPH radical scavenging, GC–MS characterization, nitric oxide (NO) inhibition assay in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, nano-spray formulation development, and stability assessment. Results: Considerable phytochemical variation was observed among geographical origins, with TPC and TFC ranging from 19.47 to 103.09 mg GAE/g extract and 28.57 to 400.72 mg QE/g extract, respectively. The Nan whole-fruit extract exhibited the highest extraction yield (20.81%), whereas the pericarp extract showed the strongest antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 111.78 μg/mL). GC–MS analysis revealed anti-inflammatory phytochemicals, predominantly α-terpineol, geranyl acetate, n-hexadecanoic acid, oleic acid, and linalool. The selected extract demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory activity (IC₅₀ = 6.95 ± 0.44 μg/mL), exceeding that of prednisolone, and was successfully incorporated into a physically stable nano-spray formulation with 60-day storage stability. Conclusions: These findings provide scientific validation for the traditional use of Ma-Khwaen and support its development as a stable nano-spray formulation for muscle pain relief and inflammation alleviation.
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BibTeX
@article{chaichana2026phytochemical,
title = {{Phytochemical Profiling, Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities, and Nano-Spray Development for Muscle Pain Relief from Thai Ma-Khwaen Zanthoxylum rhetsa (Roxb.) DC.}},
author = {Keng Chaichana and Phanit Srisuttha and Raweephun Sunanta and Phadungnaree Saenmuang and Wannita Sakulwattana and Wichida Lasomsri and Pakorn Pusuwan and Sakesun Thongtip and Pannatat Suttirak and Pitakpong Panta and Ubonwan Saesiw and Teerapong Yata and Monchanok Choowanthanapakorn},
journal = {Cosmetics},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.3390/cosmetics13050252},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics13050252},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Phytochemical Profiling, Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities, and Nano-Spray Development for Muscle Pain Relief from Thai Ma-Khwaen Zanthoxylum rhetsa (Roxb.) DC.
AU - Keng Chaichana
AU - Phanit Srisuttha
AU - Raweephun Sunanta
AU - Phadungnaree Saenmuang
AU - Wannita Sakulwattana
AU - Wichida Lasomsri
AU - Pakorn Pusuwan
AU - Sakesun Thongtip
AU - Pannatat Suttirak
AU - Pitakpong Panta
AU - Ubonwan Saesiw
AU - Teerapong Yata
AU - Monchanok Choowanthanapakorn
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/01
JO - Cosmetics
DO - 10.3390/cosmetics13050252
UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics13050252
AB - Zanthoxylum rhetsa (Roxb.) DC. (Ma-Khwaen) is an economically important medicinal plant traditionally used for pain and inflammatory disorders. This study explored its phytochemical composition, biological activities, and potential for nano-spray product development. Methods: Ethanolic fruit extracts collected from five provinces in Northern Thailand were evaluated for extraction yield, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant activity, and anti-inflammatory activity. Extracts from Nan Province were further selected for DPPH radical scavenging, GC–MS characterization, nitric oxide (NO) inhibition assay in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, nano-spray formulation development, and stability assessment. Results: Considerable phytochemical variation was observed among geographical origins, with TPC and TFC ranging from 19.47 to 103.09 mg GAE/g extract and 28.57 to 400.72 mg QE/g extract, respectively. The Nan whole-fruit extract exhibited the highest extraction yield (20.81%), whereas the pericarp extract showed the strongest antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 111.78 μg/mL). GC–MS analysis revealed anti-inflammatory phytochemicals, predominantly α-terpineol, geranyl acetate, n-hexadecanoic acid, oleic acid, and linalool. The selected extract demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory activity (IC₅₀ = 6.95 ± 0.44 μg/mL), exceeding that of prednisolone, and was successfully incorporated into a physically stable nano-spray formulation with 60-day storage stability. Conclusions: These findings provide scientific validation for the traditional use of Ma-Khwaen and support its development as a stable nano-spray formulation for muscle pain relief and inflammation alleviation.
SN - 2079-9284
ER -