THE STUDY OF IDENTITY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS USING TO TREAT SKIN DISEASES IN THAI TRADITIONAL MEDICINE

Abstract

The objective of this research was to examine the identity of five medicinal plants using in the treatment of skin diseases in Thai traditional medicine, namely Strychnos nux-vomica L., Rhinacanthus nasutus (L.) Kurz, Senna alata (L.) Roxb., Piper betle L. and Cassia fistula L. which are medicinal plants that can be cultivated or found locally in Chiang Rai Province. The research methods were 1) Examining physical characteristics of medicinal plants according to 5 principles including name, appearance, color, smell and taste. 2) Examining the chemical identity of medicinal plants by thin layer chromatography techniques to create a database for developing prototypes of quality local herbal strains.

The results of the physical characteristics of medicinal plants found that (1) seed of Strychnos nux-vomica L. has a round, flat, white and grayish, odorless and intoxicating taste, (2) leaves of Rhinacanthus nasutus (L.) Kurz has single oval-shaped leaf. The tips and base of the leaves are pointed, green leaves have specific fragrance and bitter taste, (3) leaves of Senna alata (L.) Roxb composed as feathers, specific fragrance and oval shaped. The tip and base of the leaves are round, light green, odorless and bitter in taste, (4) leaves of Piper betle L. are, heart-shaped and, dark green and have specific fragrance and spicy flavor, (5) leaves of Cassia fistula L. composed as feathers, oval pointed, dark green, odorless and astringent taste. When examining the chemical identity, which showed chromatograms under white light, 254 nm UV light and 366 nm UV light and the R_f value of the substance bands detected in each light wave were calculated as follows: (1) seed of Strychnos nux-vomica L. was not found separated bands at white light and 254 nm UV light, while there were 2 R_f bands at wavelength 366 nm. (2) leaves of Rhinacanthus nasutus (L.) Kurz found contained 7, 14, 19 of R_f values respectively, (3) leaves of Senna alata (L.) Roxb. contained 11, 17, 15 of R_f values respectively, (4) leaves of Piper betle L. contained 8, 16, 18 of R_f values respectively, (5) leaves of Cassia fistula L. contained 7, 10, 13 of R_f values respectively. The results of this study serve as guidelines for investigating good quality of local medicinal plant species and increase the value of Thai medicinal plants for the local community.