Investigation of antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activity of the Thai traditional extract “Benjalotika” and its five component herbs

The Thai traditional herbal extract “Benjalotika” (Thai: @) (BK) contains five herbs: Dracaena loureiroi Gagnep. (DG), Tarenna hoaensis Pit. (TP), Mansonia gagei J. R. Drumm. ex Prain (MP), Tacca chantrieri Andre (TA), and Cyathea podophylla (Hook.) Copel (CC). Benjalotika extract is a traditional anti-inflammatory and antipyretic. This study investigates and compares the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanolic extract of BK as well as the extracts of each component. All six extracts were prepared by maceration in 95% ethanol, and each extract was dried by evaporator. All extracts were tested for antioxidant activity by DPPH assay and for antimicrobial activity by disc diffusion and broth dilution methods, both against Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ), Streptococcus bovis ( S. bovis ), and Escherichia coli ( E. coli ). Anti-inflammatory activity was tested by nitric oxide (NO) inhibition (Griess assay, including MTT assay) on macrophage cells in murine (RAW 264.7). Results showed that among the six extracts, MP extract had the highest antioxidant activity (EC50 value 4.82±0.087 μg/mL) and also the highest antimicrobial activity, with an S. aureus inhibition zone of 17 mm and a MIC=0.625 mg/mL against both S. aureus and S. bovis . MP extract also showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity during NO inhibition (IC 50 value 87.18±4.12 μg/mL). MP extract (and all five other extracts) is non-toxic in RAW264.7 cells according to the MTT assay. In summary, these results validate and support the use of the traditional Benjalotika herbal extract for the treatment of infection and inflammation. Publication History Article published online: 05 March 2026 © 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany