PCSK9 is a promising target for developing novel cholesterol-lowering drugs. We developed a recipe that combined molecular docking, GC-MS/MS, and real-time PCR to identify potential PCSK9 inhibitors for herb ratio determination. Three herbs, Carthamus tinctorius, Coscinium fenestratum, and Zingiber officinale, were used in this study. This work aimed to evaluate cholesterol-lowering through a PCSK9 inhibitory mechanism of these three herbs for defining a suitable ratio. Chemical constituents were identified using GC-MS/MS. The PCSK9 inhibitory potential of the compounds was determined using molecular docking, real-time PCR, and Oil red O staining. It has been shown that most of the active compounds of C. fenestratum and Z. officinale inhibit PCSK9 when extracted with water, and C. fenestratum has been shown to yield tetraacetyl-d-xylonic nitrile (27.92%) and inositol, 1-deoxy-(24.89%). These compounds could inhibit PCSK9 through the binding of 6 and 5 hydrogen bonds, respectively, while the active compound in Z. officinale is 2-Formyl-9-[.beta.-d-ribofuranosyl] hypoxanthine (4.37%) inhibits PCSK9 by forming 8 hydrogen bonds. These results suggest that a recipe comprising three parts C. fenestratum, two parts Z. officinale, and one part C. tinctorius is a suitable herbal ratio for reducing lipid levels in the bloodstream through a PCSK9 inhibitory mechanism.

Tri-Yannarose is a Thai traditional herbal medicine formula composed of Areca catechu, Azadirachta indica, and Tinospora crispa. It possesses antipyretic, diuretic, expectorant, and appetite-stimulating effects. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activities, cytotoxicity, and chemical constituents of an aqueous extract following a Tri-Yannarose recipe and its plant ingredients. The phytochemical analysis was performed using LC-QTOF-MS. Antioxidant activities were determined using DPPH, ABTS, TPC, TFC, FRAP, NBT, MCA, and ORAC assays. Cytotoxicity was investigated using a methyl thiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay. In addition, the relationship between the chemical composition of Tri-Yannarose and antioxidant activities was investigated by examining the structure–activity relationship (SAR). The results of the LC-QTOF-MS analysis revealed trigonelline, succinic acid, citric acid, and other chemical constituents. The aqueous extract of the recipe showed significant scavenging effects against ABTS and DPPH radicals, with IC₅₀ values of 1054.843 ± 151.330 and 747.210 ± 44.173 µg/mL, respectively. The TPC of the recipe was 92.685 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g of extract and the TFC was 14.160 mg of catechin equivalent/g of extract. All extracts demonstrated lower toxicity in the Vero cell line according to the MTT assay. In addition, the SAR analysis indicated that prenyl arabinosyl-(1–6)-glucoside and quinic acid were the primary antioxidant compounds in the Tri-Yannarose extract. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that Tri-Yannarose and its plant ingredients have potent antioxidant activities with low toxicity. These results support the application of the Tri-Yannarose recipe for the management of a range of disorders related to oxidative stress.

Prasa Mawaeng is a traditional Thai herbal remedy rich in bioactive compounds recognized for their potent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. As the impact of drying on this remedy remains unexplored, this study aimed to determine the effect of different drying methods on the phytochemical profile and biological activities of the preparation. Prasa Mawaeng was prepared and quality-evaluated according to the Thai Herbal Preparation Pharmacopoeia (THPP). The remedy was extracted by decoction and subsequently dried into spray-dried (SD-PSM) and freeze-dried (FD-PSM) powders. Phytochemical characteristics were evaluated using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and total phenolic content (TPC), while antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were determined using ABTS/FRAP assays and the macrobroth dilution method. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) revealed distinct differences in particle morphology between drying methods, whereas TLC profiles, TPC, and antioxidant capacity were comparable, and neither powder exhibited inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus mutans (0.5–15 mg/mL). Following stability assessment for three months at room temperature and one month under accelerated conditions (40°C/75% relative humidity), SD-PSM maintained a fine powder form while FD-PSM agglomerated, although TPC remained statistically stable in both powders throughout storage. In conclusion, SD-PSM demonstrated better physical stability than FD-PSM under accelerated storage, considering the commercial scale-up cost. These findings support its potential for scalable pharmaceutical manufacturing and innovative herbal health product development.