Nine plant species (Table 1) were selected on the basis of their
anti-inflammatory uses reported in Thai textbooks, particularly in
Saralamp et al. (2000) who summarise commonly used Thai medicinal
plants: Basella alba L. (Basellaceae), Gynura pseudochina (L.) DC.
var. hispida Thv. (Asteraceae), Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz. (Bignoniaceae),
Pouzolzia indica (L.) Gaudich. (Urticaceae), and Rhinacanthus
nasutus (L.) Kuntze. (Acanthaceae). Pouzolzia indica and Rhinacanthus
nasutus were also reported in Suchawan (1989) and Oroxylum
indicum is included in Wuthithamvech (1997) as an easy growing
food plant of the north and north-east of Thailand. Cayratia trifolia
(L.) Domin. (Vitaceae) and Muehlenbeckia platyclada (F.) Muelll,
Meisn. (Polygonaceae) have been reported in Chuakul et al. (2000):
an ethnobotanical survey in 14 provinces of Thailand. Basella rubra
L. (Basellaceae) was documented in Theangburanatham (2005) and
Gynura pseudochina (L.) DC. (Asteraceae) was reported in Plant
Genetic Conservation Project (2009).
Their traditional uses, and relevant/characteristic secondary
metabolites, plant parts used and/or ways of extract preparations
are reported in Table 1 and a total of 27 extracts from the nine
species were assessed for their anti-inflammatory, cytotoxicity and
antioxidant activities.