Macroscopic, Microscopic and HPLC Chromatogram Studies of the Crude Drug Called “Chetta Phang Khi”

Abstract

“Chetta Phang Khi” or “ Phang Khi” are the name of a plant that is used as an ingredient in several medicinal recipes. In particular, Pasa Chetta Phang Khi has been included in Thailand list of essential medicines. This recipe contains 50 percent of Chetta Phang Khi crude drug. According to the literature search, either Chetta Phang Khi or Phang Khi are mentioned and classified in the family of Euphorbiaceae with the scientific names Croton crassifolius Geiseler and Cladogynos orientalis Zipp. ex Span. This is the cause of confusion regarding the utilization and the reference of this crude drug in the the other research or the existing research. Therefore, it is necessary to study the macroscopical and microscopical characters as well as the study on the HPLC chromatograms of crude drugs from the authentic samples (root) of both species as well as the commercial sources. The results showed the statistical difference in the average ratio of xylem thickness to cortex thickness between C. crassifolius and C. orientalis (0.689 ±0.107 and 10.268 ±1.979, respectively; p < 0.05). Samples from the commercial sources exhibited in the average ratio of xylem thickness to cortex thickness ranged from 0.532±0.026 to 1.061±0.049 which were not statistically different from the authentic samples of C. crassifolius. The chromatogram of C. orientalis and commercial samples were different from those of C. orientalis according to the chromatographic peak eluted between 35-40 minutes which was absent in C. orientalis ‘s extracts.