Prasaplai preparation, which is listed in the Thai traditional
common household drug list, is a Thai traditional formula for
the treatment of dysmenorrhea and adjustment of menstrual
cycle. This preparation was first observed about 100 years ago
and is still used until the present time. The active ingredients
and biological activities especially on cyclooxygenase mostly
come from Z. cassumunar while the other herbs which are A.
calamus, A. sativum, C. hystrix, C. zedoaria, N. sativa, P.
nigrum, and Z. officinale also possess the anti-inflamatory
activity through various pathways. These evidences confirm
that Prasaplai preparation has the potential in the treatment of
pain and inflammation in dysmenorrhea. In addition, the
artifacts occur in the preparation also help the absorption of
compound D in the form of fatty acid derivatives which act as
pro-drug. The clinical trial showed that Prasaplai was effective
for the treatment of dysmenorrhea with similar effectiveness as
the standard NSAID drug, Mefenamic acid. In the present time,
phase IV clinical trial is being conducted at Mahidol University
using Ayurved Siriraj Prasaplai, comparing with Mefenamic
acid.