Objectives: To evaluate the anesthetic efficacy of a locally made anesthetic gel containing Zanthoxylum limonella.
Materials and Methods: The topical anesthetic gel containing various concentrations of the Zanthoxylum limonella pericarp extracts were produced and determined for cytotoxicity on L-929 cell culture using MTT assay. The onset and duration of the topical anesthetic gel were compared to[a1] a commercial product (20% benzocaine) after application on labial oral mucosa of 20 healthy volunteers. The split mouth design was used - both topical anesthetics were randomly tested for anesthetic efficacy against each other bilaterally. The satisfaction questionnaire for the properties of the topical anesthetic gel was assessed in the volunteers. Any unwanted effect to the gel was also recorded.
Results: The topical anesthetic gel containing 0.1% Zanthoxylum limonella pericarp extracts were non-cytotoxic. The mean onset and duration of the topical anesthetic gel containing Zanthoxylum limonella and 20% Benzocaine were 59.13±22.22 seconds versus 51.67±28.26 seconds and 3.19±0.63 minutes versus 3.15±0.72 minutes, respectively (p>0.05). The majority of volunteers reported high satisfaction level in physical properties including color, viscosity, and odor (75% versus 70% for the Zanthoxylum limonella gel and 20% Benzocaine, respectively).
Conclusions: It was concluded that the herbal local anesthetic gel containing 10% Zanthoxylum limonella pericarp extract were non-cytotoxic. The topical anesthetic gel has proper onset and duration for local anesthetic property. It should be further studied for clinical use.