The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), through the National Nanotechnology Centre (NANOTEC), has developed Turrica, a wound care product for canine based on Thai herbal extracts and nanotechnology. The innovation was designed to provide a gentler and more effective option for managing wounds and skin problems in companion animals, while adding value to Thai herbal resources through research and technology development.
Turrica was developed from two Thai medicinal plants, Centella asiatica and turmeric, which are known for their wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties. The research team enhanced the delivery of their active compounds using nano-emulsion technology, enabling the key ingredients to penetrate cells more effectively and improve their biological activity. As a result, the product offers antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties in a convenient spray format suitable for practical use in canines.
According to the NANOTEC research team, the active compounds from Centella asiatica, particularly asiaticoside and madecassoside, help stimulate collagen production and support tissue repair, while curcumin from turmeric contributes to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. By integrating these compounds into a nano-emulsion system, the researchers were able to improve their delivery efficiency and develop a product with stronger functional performance than conventional herbal preparations.
The product has already undergone cell-level testing, showing antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effects, and wound-healing potential without toxicity to macrophage and fibroblast cells involved in inflammation and tissue repair. Importantly, the research team used canine fibroblast cells in the study to ensure that the test results were more relevant to actual veterinary applications.
The development of Turrica reflects NSTDA’s role in translating nanotechnology and herbal research into practical innovations for animal health. The product can be manufactured using standard equipment available in Thailand, supporting future commercial production by local entrepreneurs.
The research team has already registered a petty patent for the product formulation and is seeking partners for technology transfer, further clinical testing, and the development of additional product formats, such as wound gel and wound dressing film. Turrica represents a promising example of how Thai herbal resources and nanotechnology can be combined to create value-added innovations for the growing canine health care market.