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Evaluation of Cynodon dactylon for wound healing activity

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Research in the field of wound healing is very recent. The concept of wound healing is changing from day to day. Ayurveda is the richest source of plant drugs for management of wounds and Cynodon dactylon L. is one such. The plant is used as hemostatic and wound healing agent from ethnopharmacological point of view. Aim of the present study is scientific validation of the plant for wound healing activity in detail. MATERIALS AND METHODS Aqueous extract of the plant was prepared and phytochemical constituents were detected by HPLC analysis. Acute and dermatological toxicity study of the extract was performed. Pharmacological testing of 15% ointment (w/w) of the extract with respect to placebo control and standard comparator framycetin were done on full thickness punch wound in Wister rats and effects were evaluated based on parameters like wound contraction size (mm2), tensile strength (g); tissue DNA, RNA, protein, hydroxyproline and histological examination. The ointment was applied on selected clinical cases of chronic and complicated wounds and efficacy was evaluated on basis of scoring on granulation, epithelialization, vascularity as well as routine hematological investigations. RESULTS Significant results (p<0.05) were observed both in pharmacological and clinical studies. CONCLUSION The present research with aqueous extract of Cynodon dactylon explores its potential wound healing activity in animal model and subsequent feasibility in human subjects. Phenolic acids and flavonoids present in c. dactylon supports its wound healing property for its anti-oxidative activity that are responsible for collagenesis.

HPLC ANALYSIS OF PHENOLIC ACIDS AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF SOME CLASSICAL AYURVEDIC GUGGULU FORMULATIONS

Classical guggulu formulations have been used as mainstay therapeutics in chronic inflammatory diseases in Ayurvedic system of medicine since centuries. The present study included six guggulu formulations such as Kaishora guggulu, Kanchanara guggulu, Yogaraj guggulu, Punrnava guggulu, Amritadi guggulu and Trayodasanga guggulu.Phenolic compounds play a vital role as evident from phenolic and flavonoid content in guggulu drugs as well as antioxidant activity assayed by DPPH radical scavenging activity and FRAP antioxidant power. Yograj guggulu was found to have strong reducing ability (1156.76 μM Fe(II)/mg) among six drugs chosen in this investigation and Amritadi guggulu has revealed powerful scavenger of DPPH radicals (IC50:1.05 mg/ml). Phenolic acid composition for each guggulu drug was analyzed and twelve phenolic acid compounds were identified and estimated by HPLC. Gallic acid (8.29-49.28 mg/g) was found in high concentration and ellagic acid (0.69-6.02 mg/g) was found to the next in all formulations. Other phenolic acid components estimated were protocatechuic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, gentisic acid, chlorogenic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, sinapic acid in all guggulu formulations. A synergistic activity towards therapeutic efficacy was proposed on the basis of phenolic acid composition in each guggulu formulation.

In Search of Wound Healing Drugs: A Journey Through Ayurveda

Description of wound healing is a recent concern of modern surgery and medical therapeutics, but first evidences are available in ancient Indian system of medicine, namely Ayurveda in the name of Vrana (wounds) and Vranaropaka (wound healing drugs). It has been reported that in different classical Ayurvedic texts, about 164 medicinal plants, 24 metals and minerals and 18 animal products are described for their wound healing activity. The mechanism of the healing process and the selection of drugs from natural resources are very specific in Ayurveda, and some of these have been scientifically screened. Besides a single component of drug, many classical formulations either in the form of polyherbal or herbo-minerals have been cited in Ayurveda from time to time since pre-vedic era to recent modern time. Many traditional folkloric preparations of India were also later on incorporated in Ayurveda utilizing sources of some pockets of Ayurveda in different parts of the country. Chronological development of these drugs on the basis of physical, molecular and clinical parameters is elaborated vividly with some examples of experimentation like Curcuma longa, Pterocarpus santalinus, Cynodon dactylon and a composed formulation named Kshantak Malam.

Some pharmacological studies with Cycleanine, a diphenylbisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid from Stephania hernandifolia

Stephania hernandifolia belonging to the family Menispermaceae is the biggest storehouse of diphenylbisbenzylisoquinoline (DBBI) alkaloids. Exhaustive chemical processing of the bulb of S. hernandifolia by the application of modern separation techniques yielded a DBBI alkaloid which was identified as cycleanine using spectroscopic methods (UV, IR, . , Mass). Cycleanine showed significant anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenin induced paw oedema, comparable to that produced by diclofenac sodium, used as standard drug. It exhibited potent analgesic effects against chemical and thermal noxious stimuli. It was also found to possess anticonvulsive activity in the strychnine induced convulsion model.