Nanochitosan-Coated Zingiber cassumunar (Plai) for Anti-Inflammatory Applications: Characterization and Therapeutic Evaluation

Zingiber cassumunar Roxb. (Plai), a traditional Thai medicinal plant, is widely recognized for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial properties. However, its clinical use has been limited due to poor solubility, stability, and skin permeability. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a nanochitosan-coated formulation incorporating Zingiber cassumunar (Plai) extract for anti-inflammatory applications. The study focuses on characterizing the physicochemical properties of the formulation using GC-MS, FTIR, and SEM techniques, as well as assessing its anti-inflammatory efficacy through the albumin denaturation assay. The nanoparticles were characterized by GC-MS, FTIR, and SEM. GC-MS, and showed enrichment of lipophilic, volatile compounds like lidocaine, benzyl benzoate, and squalene. FTIR confirmed successful Plai incorporation into the chitosan matrix with strong molecular interactions. SEM revealed porous, sponge-like structures, supporting high drug-loading efficiency and potential for controlled release. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed via BSA protein denaturation assay, revealing that all formulations, including crude extract, chitosan, and nanochitosan-Plai, exhibited high inhibition across tested concentrations. Notably, the nanochitosan-Plai formulation showed significantly superior activity at the highest concentration. These findings suggest that nanochitosan encapsulation significantly enhances the therapeutic efficacy of Plai, supporting its potential development as an advanced topical delivery system for the targeted management of localized inflammatory conditions.