Ethnopharmacological approaches to wound healing--exploring medicinal plants of India

A rare phytosterol, stigmast-5-en-3β,7α,22α-triol and other secondary metabolites from Leea indica showing enhanced in vitro cell migration and proangiogenic activity

Leea indica (Burm. f.) Merr. (Vitaceae) is used for the treatment of wounds in traditional medicine practiced in Sri Lanka. The current study is carried out to investigate its wound healing potential in terms of in vitro cell migration and proangiogenic activity. The scratch wound assay (SWA) guided fractionation of dichloromethane extract of L. indica led to the isolation of a rare phytosterol, stigmast-5-en-3β,7α,22α-triol (1), betulin (2), lupeol (3), and β-sitosterol (4) all of which showed enhanced cell migration in SWA and significant proangiogenic response in chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. The identities of compounds 1-4 were established by the analysis of NMR spectroscopic data and comparison with those reported. This is the first report of the occurrence of compounds 1 and 2 in L. indica.

Nanoemulsion containing Jatropha gossypiifolia leaf extract reduces dermonecrosis induced by Bothrops erythromelas venom and accelerates wound closure

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The species Jatropha gossypiifolia, popularly known as "pinhão-roxo", is distributed throughout Brazil, is commonly employed for topical or oral administration in treating wounds, inflammations, and snake bites. Given the significant impact of snakebites on public health and the limitations of antivenom, coupled with the diverse molecular composition of this plant species, investigating its healing and antidermonecrotic capacities is relevant.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to develop a topical nanoemulsion incorporating the hydroethanolic extract of J. gossypiifolia leaves, to evaluate its therapeutic potential, particularly in terms of its efficacy in wound healing and inhibition of dermonecrosis induced by B. erythromelas venom (BeV).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The extract of J. gossypiifolia (JgE) leaves was obtained by maceration and remaceration. The phytochemical analysis was conducted and J. gossypiifolia nanoemulsion (JgNe) was obtained, characterized and assessed for stability. The cytotoxicity was determined in normal cells (erythrocytes and 3T3) using hemolytic assay and cell viability assay using crystal violet staining. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by the reduction of ABTS and DPPH radicals. The evaluation of wound healing was conducted in vivo following treatment with JgNe, wherein the percentage of wound closure and inflammatory mediators. The skin irritation test was assessed in vivo by applying JgNe directly to the animal's skin. In vitro, the antivenom capacity was evaluated through enzymatic inhibition assays (phospholipase A2 and hyaluronidase) of BeV. Additionally, the in vivo antidermonecrotic activity of JgNe was evaluated by measuring the reduction of the dermonecrotic halo.

RESULTS

The HPLC-DAD analysis identified flavonoids, specifically vitexin, luteolin derivatives and apigenin derivatives. In addition, 95.08 ± 5.46 mg of gallic acid/g of extract and 137.92 ± 0.99 mg quercetin/g extract, was quantified. JgNe maintained stability over a 4-week period. Moreover, JgE and JgNe demonstrated no cytotoxicity in human erythrocytes and murine fibroblasts at tested concentrations (32.25-250 μg/mL). Additionally, exhibited significant antioxidant activity by reducing ABTS and DPPH radicals. The treatment with JgNe did not induce skin irritation and accelerated wound healing, with significant wound closure observed from 5th day and reduction in nitrite levels, myeloperoxidase activity, and cytokine. Both JgE and JgNe demonstrated in vitro inhibition of the phospholipase and hyaluronidase enzymes of BeV. Moreover, JgNe exhibited antidermonecrotic activity by reducing the dermonecrotic halo caused by BeV after 24 h.

CONCLUSIONS

JgNe and JgE exhibited no cytotoxicity at the tested concentrations. Additionally, our findings demonstrate that JgNe has the ability to accelerate wound closure and reduce dermonecrosis caused by BeV, indicating to be promising formulation for complementary therapy to antivenom treatment.

Review of Malaysian medicinal plants with potential wound healing activity

Wound is defined as the damage to biological tissues including skin, mucous membranes and organ tissues. The acute wound heals in less than 4 weeks without complications, while a chronic wound takes longer than 6 weeks to heal. Wound healing occurs in 4 phases, namely, coagulation, inflammatory, proliferative and remodeling phases. Triclosan and benzalkonium chloride are commonly used as skin disinfectants in wound healing. However, they cause allergic contact dermatitis and antibiotic resistance. Medicinal plants are widely studied due to the limited availability of wound healing agents. The present review included six commonly available medicinal plants in Malaysia such as Aloe barbadensis Miller, Carica papaya Linn., Centella asiatica Linn., Cymbopogon nardus Linn., Ficus benghalensis Linn. and Hibiscus rosa sinensis Linn. Various search engines and databases were used to obtain the scientific findings, including Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed Central and Research Gate. The review discussed the possible mechanism of action of medicinal plants and their active constituents in the wound healing process. In addition, their application in nanotechnology and wound dressings was also discussed in detail.

Phytochemical Analysis, Antimicrobial Screening and In Vitro Pharmacological Activity of Artemisia vestita Leaf Extract

Artemisia vestita Wall. Ex Besser is a folklore medicinal plant that belongs to Asteraceae family and a treasure trove of drugs. The aim of this research study was to investigate the phytoconstituents, antimicrobial activity, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxicity and wound healing potential of A. vestita leaf extract (ALE). Phytochemical analysis of the ALE was carried out by Soxhlet extraction and GCMS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) analysis. Antimicrobial activity was performed by the agar well diffusion method against selected bacterial and fungal strains. Free radical scavenging potential was evaluated by DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) and FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power) assays. Anti-inflammatory activity was performed by enzyme inhibition assay-COXII. The cytotoxicity of ALE on HaCaT cells was studied via MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay. An in vitro scratch assay was performed for the evaluation of the wound healing property of ALE. It showed satisfactory antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (14.2 ± 0.28 mm), Escherichia coli (17.6 ± 0.52 mm), Bacillus subtilis (13.1 ± 0.37 mm), Streptococcus pyogenes (17.3 ± 0.64 mm), Proteus mirabilis (9.4 ± 0.56 mm), Aspergillus niger (12.7 ± 0.53 mm), Aspergilus flavus (15.3 ± 0.25 mm) and Candida albicans (17.6 ± 0.11 mm). In ALE, 36 phytochemicals were detected by GCMS analysis, but 22 were dominant. Moreover, the ALE was effective in scavenging free radicals with different assays and exhibited reasonable anti-inflammatory activity. The MTT assay revealed that ALE had a cytotoxic effect on the HaCaT cells. The scratch assay showed 94.6% wound closure (after 24 h incubation) compared to the positive control Cipladine, which is remarkable wound healing activity. This is the first report on the wound healing property of A. vestita, which can serve as a potential agent for wound healing and extends knowledge on its therapeutic potential.

Deciphering the crosstalk between inflammation and biofilm in chronic wound healing: Phytocompounds loaded bionanomaterials as therapeutics

In terms of the economics and public health, chronic wounds exert a significant detrimental impact on the health care system. Bacterial infections, which cause the formation of highly resistant biofilms that elude standard antibiotics, are the main cause of chronic, non-healing wounds. Numerous studies have shown that phytochemicals are effective in treating a variety of diseases, and traditional medicinal plants often include important chemical groups such alkaloids, phenolics, tannins, terpenes, steroids, flavonoids, glycosides, and fatty acids. These substances are essential for scavenging free radicals which helps in reducing inflammation, fending off infections, and hastening the healing of wounds. Bacterial species can survive in chronic wound conditions because biofilms employ quorum sensing as a communication technique which regulates the expression of virulence components. Fortunately, several phytochemicals have anti-QS characteristics that efficiently block QS pathways, prevent drug-resistant strains, and reduce biofilm development in chronic wounds. This review emphasizes the potential of phytocompounds as crucial agents for alleviating bacterial infections and promoting wound healing by reducing the inflammation in chronic wounds, exhibiting potential avenues for future therapeutic approaches to mitigate the healthcare burden provided by these challenging conditions.

Enhancing Chronic Wound Healing through Engineering Mg2+-Coordinated Asiatic Acid/Bacterial Cellulose Hybrid Hydrogels

Infectious chronic wounds have gradually become a major clinical problem due to their high prevalence and poor treatment outcomes. The urgent need for wound dressings with immune modulatory, antibacterial, and angiogenic properties has led to the development of innovative solutions. Asiatic acid (AA), derived from herbs, has demonstrated excellent antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and angiogenic effects, making it a promising candidate for incorporation into hydrogel carriers for wound healing. However, there is currently no available report on AA-based self-assembled hydrogels. Here, a novel hybrid hydrogel dressing consists of interpenetrating polymer networks composed of self-assembled magnesium ion (Mg2+) coordinated asiatic acid (AA-Mg) and bacterial cellulose (BC) is developed to promote infected chronic wound healing. A natural carrier-free self-assembled AA-Mg hydrogel with good injectable and self-healing properties could maintain the sustained release of AA and Mg2+ over an extended period. Notably, the introduction of Mg2+ boosted some pharmacological effects of self-assembled hydrogels due to its excellent anti-inflammatory and angiogenesis. In vitro studies confirmed the exceptional biocompatibility, antibacterial efficacy, and anti-inflammatory potential of the AA-Mg/BC hybrid hydrogel, which also exhibited a commendable mechanical strength. Furthermore, in vivo biological results displayed that the hybrid hydrogel significantly accelerated the wound healing process by boosting dense and organized collagen deposition and the granulation tissue and benefiting revascularization. The introduced self-assembled AA-Mg-based hydrogel offers a promising solution for the effective management of chronic wounds. This universal strategy for the preparation of self-assembled hydrogels modulated with bioactive divalent metal ions is able to excavate more herbal small molecules to construct new self-assembled biomaterials.

Lespedeza maximowiczii flower absolute promotes skin epithelization, barrier properties, and moisturization-related beneficial responses in human keratinocytes

Lespedeza maximowiczii (LM), a member of the legume family, has tyrosinase inhibitory and estrogenic activities. However, its effects on skin-related biological activities remain unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the effects of LM flower absolute (LMFAb) on skin-related biological events, especially skin re-epithelization, barrier and moisturizing-related keratinocyte (HaCaT cell) responses. In this study, LMFAb was isolated from LM flowers via solvent extraction and its chemical composition analysis was performed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation, Boyden chamber, sprout outgrowth, enzyme-linked immunosorbent, and Western blot assay were used to analyze the biological effects of LMFAb on HaCaT cells (a human epidermal keratinocyte cell line). Twelve components were identified in LMFAb. LMFAb promoted cell proliferation, migration, and sprout outgrowth in HaCaT cells. The absolute enhanced the activations of MAPKs (ERK1/2, JNK, and p38), PI3K and AKT proteins in HaCaT cells and elevated collagen type I and IV levels in HaCaT cell conditioned medium. In addition, LMFAb induced an increase in the expression levels of epidermal barrier proteins (filaggrin and involucrin) in HaCaT cells. Furthermore, LMFAb increased hyaluronan (HA) production and expression of HA synthases (HAS-1, HAS-2, and HAS-3) but decreased HYBID (HA binding protein involved in HA depolymerization) level in HaCaT cells. These findings demonstrate that LMFAb might promote skin re-epithelization, barrier and moisturizing-related beneficial responses in keratinocytes. This study suggests that LMFAb should be considered a potential starting material for the development of cosmetic or pharmaceutical agents that restore the functions of damaged skin.

Expanded Therapeutic Applications of Holarrhena Antidysenterica: A Review

BACKGROUND

The use of medicinal plants as a rich resource of therapeutic agents in the treatment and prevention of diseases & ailments has been recognized for millennia and is highly regarded worldwide. Holarrhena antidysenterica (H. antidysenterica), also called kurchi, or kutaj, has been utilized since the dawn of time, Apocynaceae member, also known as H. pubescens, is praised for the medicinal uses of its stem bark, leaves, and seeds in Ayurveda.

OBJECTIVE

The study concentrated on aggregate information regarding H. antidysenterica's therapeutic effects. The purpose of the study was to compile pharmacological activities of H. antidysentrica seeds.

METHODS

Regardless of its broad variety of biological and possible therapeutic uses, there has been increasing concern regarding the use of H. antidysenterica.

RESULT

Various phytochemicals have been extracted from H. antidysenterica in recent years and have demonstrated typical pharmacological properties, including antibacterial, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-urolithic, and anti-inflammatory activity.

CONCLUSION

This review paper investigated the in-depth description and pharmacological properties of the plant, which produced significant findings on the chemical components present and also verified the traditionally claimed properties associated with the plant.

Synthesis, Characterization, Acute Dermal Toxicity, Anti-inflammatory, and Wound Healing Potential of Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles in Balb C Mice

AIM

The current study aimed to develop an economic plant-based therapeutic agent to improve the treatment strategies for diseases at the nano-scale.

METHODS

In the current research, silver nanoparticles were synthesized using Trillium govanianum aqueous extract. Characterizations were done using UV-visible spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In vivo biological activities such as acute dermal toxicity, wound healing, and anti-inflammatory were done on Balb C mice. Absorbance at 295 nm corresponds to the out-of-plane quadrupole Plasmonresonance while at 350 nm corresponds to in-plane dipole resonance. SEM images showed the morphology of TGAgNPs is not exactly spherical while XRD analysis shows that highly crystalline TGAgNPs with an average size of 27.94 nm. The FTIR spectrum represents sharp peaks of aldehyde, amide I, aromatic rings, and polysaccharides. The microscopic assessment did not find any epidermal and dermal layer abnormalities in Blab C mice when exposed to TGAgNPs during acute dermal toxicity.

RESULTS & DISCUSSION

Results revealed that 1000 mg/kg is not a lethal dose. In the wound healing activity, no mortality and no abnormal signs were observed when petroleum jelly, nitrofuranose, TGaqu, and TGAgNPs-based ointments were applied. Enhanced epithelization was recorded in TGaqu and TGAgNPs treated mice (p≤0.001). The wound contraction percentage was higher in nitrofuranose-treated mice (74%) followed by TGAgNPs (71%), and TGaqu (69%) compared to vehicle-treated and open-wounded mice. The paw edema model proved the potential use of TGAgNPs and TGaqu as anti-inflammatory agents.

CONCLUSION

Hence, the results proved that both TGaqu and TGAgNPs are not toxic and possessed strong anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects due to the presence of phytochemical constituents and could be used in various drug production as a therapeutic agent.

Promising Phytoconstituents in Diabetes-related Wounds: Mechanistic Insights and Implications

BACKGROUND

The onset of diabetes mellitus (DM), a metabolic disorder characterized by high blood glucose levels and disrupted glucose metabolism, results in 20% of people with diabetes suffering from diabetes-related wounds worldwide. A minor wound, such as a cut or abrasion, can lead to infections and complications in diabetic patients. We must understand the mechanism/s contributing to this delayed wound healing to develop effective prevention strategies. The potential benefits of bioactive phytochemicals for diabetic wound healing have been reported in numerous studies.

METHOD

A bioactive compound may have multiple actions, including antioxidants, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, and angiogenesis. Compounds derived from these plants have shown promising results in wound healing, inflammation reduction, collagen synthesis, and neovascularization improvement.

RESULTS

Consequently, this review provides an update to our understanding of how phytoconstituents promote wound healing in diabetics. A thorough literature review was conducted on diabetes, wound healing, and phytoconstituents for this study. Only English publications until June 2023 were included in the search, which used multiple search engines and the main keywords. Summing up, phytochemical-based interventions might improve the quality of life for diabetics by improving wound healing.

CONCLUSION

However, to fully understand the efficacy and safety of these phytochemicals in managing diabetic wounds, more research and clinical trials are needed.

Ipomoea pes-tigridis L. extract accelerates wound healing in Wistar albino rats in excision and incision models

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

An annual herb, Ipomoea pes-tigridis L. (Convolvulaceae) is widely used for its anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties in traditional medicine. As well as treating wounds, fever, skin disorders, and other ailments, it is also used for other purposes.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study investigated polyphenolic content, antioxidant activity, RP-HPLC, wound healing, and antioxidant enzyme activity. In terms of I. pes-tigridis potential for healing wounds, there is no scientific data available. Hence this study is designed to use animal models to investigate the ethnopharmacological report.

MATERIALS METHODS

The crude extracts of stem and leaf were subjected to phytochemicals, TPC, TTC, TFC, and free radical scavenging assays (DPPH, ABTS, etc). Excision and incision models were used to assess wound healing using the screened extracts (IPLEA, IPLM, IPSEA, and IPSM). Various tissue parameters (hydroxyproline, hexosamine, hexuronic acid content), as well as antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD, Catalase, GPX, LPO), were also examined.

RESULTS

The maximum amount of polyphenolic content was found in IPLM (TPC- 118.86 ± 5.94 mg GAE/g, TTC - 75.25 ± 2.64 mg TAE/g, and TFC-25.73 ± 0.99 mg GAE/g) with significant IC50 value of 1.65 ± 0.87 μg/mL among all the extracts. Coumaric acid was reported high (92.86 mg/g) in RP-HPLC analysis of crude extract in IPLEA. The in vivo excision wound healing model revealed that 1% IPLM had better healing property with the maximum wound healing area (0.098 ± 0.03 cm) and wound concentration (95.56 ± 1.95%) was reported with the significance level of ***P < 0.001, **P < 0.01, *P < 0.05. In the incision model, IPLM represented maximum tensile strength (27500 gf). A significant functional effect of the granulation tissue parameters and enzyme antioxidants on the wound-healed area of dry tissue was also observed. Finally, the histopathological analysis showed enhanced re-epithelialization, fibroblast proliferation, and collagen synthesis in wound-treated animal tissue in both models.

CONCLUSION

According to the present study, antioxidant-rich I. pes-tigridis promotes healthy cell regeneration while reducing inflammation and oxidative stress for wound healing. Additionally, it also enhances circulation and promotes healing.

Testing biological actions of medicinal plants from northern Vietnam on zebrafish embryos and larvae: Developmental, behavioral, and putative therapeutical effects

Evaluating the risks and benefits of using traditional medicinal plants is of utmost importance for a huge fraction of the human population, in particular in Northern Vietnam. Zebrafish are increasingly used as a simple vertebrate model for testing toxic and physiological effects of compounds, especially on development. Here, we tested 12 ethanolic extracts from popular medicinal plants collected in northern Vietnam for their effects on zebrafish survival and development during the first 4 days after fertilization. We characterized more in detail their effects on epiboly, hatching, growth, necrosis, body curvature, angiogenesis, skeletal development and mostly increased movement behavior. Finally, we confirm the effect on epiboly caused by the Mahonia bealei extract by staining the actin filaments and performing whole genome gene expression analysis. Further, we show that this extract also inhibits cell migration of mouse embryo fibroblasts. Finally, we analyzed the chemical composition of the Mahonia bealei extract and test the effects of its major components. In conclusion, we show that traditional medicinal plant extracts are able to affect zebrafish early life stage development to various degrees. In addition, we show that an extract causing delay in epiboly also inhibits mammalian cell migration, suggesting that this effect may serve as a preliminary test for identifying extracts that inhibit cancer metastasis.

Wound healing at a Viennese medical school 200 years ago

This historical account is a departure from the oblivion of the historical circumstances surrounding the introduction of the open method of wound healing by Vincenz Kern, a Viennese professor of surgery in 1809, and which is still used today in most surgical professions. Thanks are also due to the famous Medical University of Vienna from where Kern ultimately established numerous schools throughout Europe, including Croatia, as a then part of the great Austrian Empire.

Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza Ameliorates Burn Injuries by Reducing Inflammation and Promoting Wound Healing

Purpose

Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza (RSM), a commonly used medicinal plant, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory effects, but relevant studies on burn injuries are lacking. We investigated the anti-inflammation and wound healing (WH) effects of an aqueous extract of RSM on a burn model in rats.

Methods

The effects of RSM were studied by heat-induced burns in rats, treatment with vehicle, Jinwanhong ointment, and RSM (1.5 or 0.75 g/mL). Indicators of burn tissue (BT) were photographed by digital machines and analyzed. The microcirculation in BT was detected by scattered full-frame real-time imaging. Levels of inflammatory mediators and growth factors were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemical staining. Local pathologic changes in BT were observed by hematoxylin-and-eosin (HE) staining. Ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography-linear ion trap-Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS) was used to explore the absorption of RSM in local skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle tissue, serum, liver tissue, and kidney tissue.

Results

RSM treatment could reduce the wound area, increase percent WH, increase blood perfusion in BT, reduce serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), increase levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, and hydroxyproline (Hyp) in serum, and increase protein expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), TGF-β1, EGF, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF)-1 in skin tissues. RSM treatment led to micro-absorption in the skin, subcutaneous tissues, and muscle, but not in the blood, liver, or kidney.

Conclusion

RSM may promote WH by exerting anti-inflammatory effects, improving local-wound microcirculation, and accelerating the metabolism at the wound surface.

Wound healing potential of Vakeri fortified KampillakadiTaila

BACKGROUND

Traditional medicine in form of decoctions has been known for ages to possess wound healing abilities. One such traditional formulation mentioned in Indian literature Charak Samhita Chikitsa Sthanam is Kampillakadi Taila and tremendous information is available on its implication in the treatment of skin cuts and wounds, diseases, or bacterial infections. This research paper focuses on studying the wound healing property of one such herbal proprietary formulation known as a wound healing oil, derived from Kampillakadi Taila fortified with root extract of Wagatea spicata (VIKHPF).

OBJECTIVE

The current research is aimed at studying chemical profiling, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial efficacy, in-vitro cell proliferating, and in-vitro wound healing activity of this VKHPF.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The chemical characterization of VKHPF was done by gas chromatography- fatty acid methyl esters GC-FAME analysis for lipid analysis and gas chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS)for revealing its chemical constituents. Proliferation and migration are two underlying mechanisms involved in the healing of wounds. Hence, in-vitro studies such as cell proliferation assay and in-vitro scratch test on NIH/3T3 mice fibroblast cell line were conducted were used to determine in-vitro wound healing capacity of VKHPF. The oil was also tested for antioxidant effect (DPPH assay) and anti-microbial potential (Time kill test).

RESULTS

The GC-HRMS and GC-FAME analyses revealed rich medicinally important fatty acids and vitamins were present in VKHPF, such as oleic acid, hexadecanoic acid, squalene, α, γ-tocopherol, γ-sitosterol, and benzoic acid. VKHPF at 0.5 mg/ml in media without serum showed 164.00 ± 0.011% cell viability with 64.00% cell proliferation in contrast to media containing serum (100% cell viability). At the same concentration, the wound closure was 98% for VKHPF. The oil sample possessed antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 3.5 mg/ml and antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa when tested using Time Kill Activity.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first to report the use of Vakeri fortified Kampillakadi Taila herbal proprietary formulation (VKHPF) in in-vitro wound healing and the present data suggest that it can form a part of modern medicine.

Keeping Healthy in Your Skin-Plants and Fungi Used by Indigenous Himalayan Communities to Treat Dermatological Ailments

Dermatological ailments are a major health problem, especially when related to human immune deficiency syndrome and acquired immune deficiency. The goal of this study was to identify the medicinal plants used by the indigenous peoples of the Northwestern Himalayas to treat dermatological diseases. Several field trips were conducted in the spring and summer seasons of 2020-2021 to collect the plants of dermatological value and information about their use through open-ended semi-structured interviews (n = 53) and group discussions (n = 33). The current investigation found 64 ethnomedicinal plants belonging to 34 families commonly used to treat a variety of dermatological ailments. The main growth form was herbs (80%), followed by trees (8%) and ferns (6%). It was found that leaves (51%) were the most commonly used plant part, followed by roots and the whole plant. Wound healing was the most dominant application, with 18 plant species used, followed by skin burns cured by 11 plant species and skin boils by eight plant species. Out of the total (18%) of medicinal plants with cosmetic uses, i.e., roots of Jurinea dolomiaea, Rheum webbianum, and Rheum spiciforme were crushed into powder and mixed with turmeric, and the paste is applied topically for glowing skin. Among the various preparation methods, paste (38%) was the most common way of preparation, followed by poultice (29%) and infusion (9%). Between ethnic groups, the maximum homogeneity was between Gujjar and Bakarwal ethnic groups (23 species, 36%), followed by Gujjars and Kashmiri (14 species, 22%). Bakarwals and Gujjar people live in the same geographical location, and they graze their animals in pastures, practice extensive transhumance pastoralism, and pass through different ecological landscapes, thus having sufficient experiences with certain plants and retaining more knowledge. The species identified with the highest utilization based on the number of citations and use value included Ficus carica, Cichorium intybus, Euphorbia wallichii, Pinus wallichiana, Plantago major, Jurinea dolomiaea, and Artemisia absinthium. The findings of this study demonstrate that people who reside in the Northwestern Himalayas region still rely on medicinal plants.

In vitro and in vivo synergistic wound healing and anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) evaluation of liquorice-decorated silver nanoparticles

The multi-drug resistant Staph. aureus strain, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is an emerging pathogen that could penetrate skin cuts and wounds, causing a life-threatening condition. The green biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles with liquorice extract has been demonstrated over several years for anticancer and antioxidant effects, as well as antibacterial effect against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The study was designed to evaluate the synergistic in vivo and in vitro wound healing and anti-MRSA activity of decorated liquorice silver nanoparticles (LD-AgNPs). The LD-AgNPs were prepared by thoroughly mixing diluted liquorice extract with AgNO₃ at room temperature. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by size measurement, IR spectroscopy, TEM imaging, and X-ray diffraction. The in vitro and in vivo antibacterial and wound healing testing were also performed. The obtained LD-AgNPs were spherical in shape and had a hydrodynamic size of about 50.16 ± 5.37 nm. Moreover, they showed potent antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative resistant bacteria, produced a significantly higher level of procollagen type I compared to either liquorice extract or standard silver sulfadiazine, and promoted the wound healing process in rabbits. The formulation of silver nanoparticles with liquorice extract showed synergetic effects in enhancing the treatment of wounds, with significant antibacterial activity against E. coli and MRSA.

Centella asiatica and Its Metabolite Asiatic Acid: Wound Healing Effects and Therapeutic Potential

An intense effort has been focused on new therapeutic approaches and the development of technologies for more efficient and rapid wound healing. The research for plants used for long time in traditional medicine in the treatment of wound has become a promising strategy to obtain drugs therapeutically useful in the acute and chronic wound management. In this context, Centella asiatica (Apiaceae) has been used to treat a variety of skin diseases, such as leprosy, lupus, varicose ulcers, eczema and psoriasis, in Asiatic traditional medicine for thousands of years. Studies have shown that Centella asiatica extracts (CAE) display activity in tissue regeneration, cell migration and wound repair process by promoting fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis. Preliminary findings have shown that the asiatic acid is one of the main active constituents of C. asiatica, directly associated with its healing activity. Thus, this study discusses aspects of the effects of Centella asiatica and its active component, asiatic acid, in different stages of the healing process of cutaneous wounds, including phytochemical and antimicrobial aspects that contribute to its therapeutic potential.

A novel therapeutic effect of mannitol-rich extract from the brown seaweed Sargassum ilicifolium using in vitro and in vivo models

BACKGROUND

Wound healing is an active, complex, integrated series of cellular, physiological, and biochemical changes initiated by the stimulus of injury in a tissue. The present study was performed to investigate the potential wound healing abilities of Sargassum ilicifolium crude extracts (CE) that were characterized by 1H NMR and FTIR Spectrometric measurements.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seaweed samples were collected from southern coastal sites of Sri Lanka. To determine the cytotoxicity and proliferation of S. ilicifolium CE were used for the MTT and alamarBlue assays respectively. The scratch and exclusion wound models were used to HaCaT and HDF cells to assess the cell proliferation and migration. RAW 264.7 cells (macrophages) were used to evaluate Nitric Oxide (NO) production and phagocytosis activities. Moreover, Fifteen, 8-week-old, female, New Zealand rabbits were selected and divided into five groups: excision skin wounds (10.40 ± 0.60 mm) were induced in groups I, II, and III. Rabbits in groups I and IV were given S. ilicifolium CE (orally, 100 mg/kg day, two weeks), whereas groups II and V were given equal amounts of distilled water. Wound healing properties were measured and wound tissue samples were collated, formalin-fixed, wax-embedded, stained (Hematoxylin and Eosin; Van Gieson) and examined for the healing process.

RESULTS

Anti-inflammatory and wound healing activities were observed in RAW 264.7, HDF and HaCaT cells treated with S. ilicifolium aqueous extracts when compared to the control groups. S. ilicifolium extracts concentration 8 - 4 μg/μL, (P<0.05) had remarkable the highest proliferative and migratory effects on RAW 264.7, HDF and HaCaT cells when compared with the control. RAW 264.7 cell proliferation and/or migration were higher in S. ilicifolium extracts (4 μg/μL, 232.8 ± 10.07%) compared with the control (100 %). Scratch wound healing were remarkably enhanced in 24 h, 48 h (P<0.05) when treated with S. ilicifolium on HaCaT cells. Rabbits treated with the CE of S. ilicifolium showed a significantly increased wound healing activities (P<0.05) within three days with a close wound area of 57.21 ± 0.77 % compared with control group (26.63 ± 1.09 %). Histopathology, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels evidenced no toxic effects on seaweed treated groups. Histopathological results also revealed that the healing process was significantly faster in the rabbit groups which were as treated with CE of S. ilicifolium orally with the evidence of enhanced early granulation tissue (connective tissue and angiogenesis) and significant epithelization compared to the control.

CONCLUSIONS

Cell proliferation and migration are significantly faster when treated with S. ilicifolium aqueous extracts. Moreover, there are no toxic effect of S. ilicifolium aqueous extracts on RAW 264.7, HDF and HaCaT cell lines. In this study, it is revealed that S. ilicifolium has potential remedial agent; D-Mannitol for skin wound healing properties that by promote keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation and migration. These findings show that S. ilicifolium have promising wound healing properties.

Wound Healing Properties of Natural Products: Mechanisms of Action

A wound is the loss of the normal integrity, structure, and functions of the skin due to a physical, chemical, or mechanical agent. Wound repair consists of an orderly and complex process divided into four phases: coagulation, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. The potential of natural products in the treatment of wounds has been reported in numerous studies, emphasizing those with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, e.g., alkaloids, saponins, terpenes, essential oils, and polyphenols from different plant sources, since these compounds can interact in the various stages of the wound healing process. This review addresses the most current in vitro and in vivo studies on the wound healing potential of natural products, as well as the main mechanisms involved in this activity. We observed sufficient evidence of the activity of these compounds in the treatment of wounds; however, we also found that there is no consensus on the effective concentrations in which the natural products exert this activity. For this reason, it is important to work on establishing optimal treatment doses, as well as an appropriate route of administration. In addition, more research should be carried out to discover the possible side effects and the behavior of natural products in clinical trials.

Crude extract of Ficus deltoidea Jack (FD) as a natural biological therapy

Aim

This study shows how important it is to coordinate research on Ficus deltoidea Jack (FD) so that results from different sources can be compared directly and a scientific conclusion can be made.

Methods

The author looked for research papers on Ficus (F.) deltoidea on Google Scholar, Science Direct, Google.com, Wiley, PubMed, Hindawi, Springer, and other related databases. This analysis excludes data that cannot be trusted, thesis papers, and review articles about F. deltoidea.

Results

In traditional medicine, the plant's leaves and syconia are used to cure a wide variety of ailments, including itchiness, diarrhoea, cancer, sexual dysfunction, age-related issues, malaria, cancer, anxiety, pain, constipation, fever, diabetes, tooth pain, and tooth decay. In vitro and in vivo studies showed the effectiveness of the leaves against cancer cell lines.

Conclusions

Based on the existing research on the health benefits of FD, it is critical to focus on its more active constituents and their identification, determination, further development, and, most importantly, standardization of the leaves for the management and treatment of cancer and its related cases. More research is needed before it can be considered a promising herbal source of novel medication candidates for treating various disorders.

Microbial Natural Products with Wound-Healing Properties

Wound healing continues to pose a challenge in clinical settings. Moreover, wound management must be performed properly and efficiently. Acute wound healing involves multiple cell divisions, a new extracellular matrix, and the process of formation, such as growth factors and cytokines, which are released at the site of the wound to regulate the process. Any changes that disrupt the healing process could cause tissue damage and prolong the healing process. Various factors, such as microbial infection, oxidation, and inflammation, can delay wound healing. In order to counter these problems, utilizing natural products with wound-healing effects has been reported to promote this process. Several natural products have been associated with wound healing, most of which are from medicinal plants. However, secondary microbial metabolites have not been extensively studied for their wound-healing properties. Further, investigations on the wound-healing control of natural microbial products are required due to a lack of studies. This review discussed the in vivo and in vitro research on the wound healing activities of natural microbial products, which may assist in the development of better wound treatments in the future.

Cubeb (Piper cubeba L.f.): A comprehensive review of its botany, phytochemistry, traditional uses, and pharmacological properties

Piper cubeba L.f. (Piperaceae), known as cubeb, is a popular traditional herbal medicine used for the treatment of many diseases, especially digestive and respiratory disorders. The plant is rich in essential oil, found mainly in fruits, and this makes it economically important. Many traditional utilizations have been also validated from the plant and its isolated compounds owing to their antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. These biological activities are attributed to the phytochemicals (phenolic compounds, lignans and alkaloids) and the essential oil of the plant. The present work aims to provide an up-to-date review on the traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of the plant and discusses the future perspectives to promote its valorization for nutritional- and health-promoting effects.

Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of a Newly Developed Ointment Containing Jujube Leaves Extract

Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (jujube) is a well-known medicinal plant with pronounced wound healing properties. The present study aimed to establish the chemical composition of the lyophilized ethanolic extract from Romanian Ziziphus jujuba leaves and to evaluate the healing and anti-inflammatory properties of a newly developed lipophilic ointment containing 10% dried jujube leaves extract. The ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry method was used, and 47 compounds were detected, among them the novel epicatechin and caffeic acid. The extract contains significant amounts of rutin (29.836 mg/g), quercetin (15.180 mg/g) and chlorogenic acid (350.96 µg/g). The lipophilic ointment has a slightly tolerable pH, between 5.41-5.42, and proved to be non-toxic in acute dermal irritation tests on New Zealand albino rabbits and after repeated administration on Wistar rats. The ointment also has a healing activity comparable to Cicatrizin (a pharmaceutical marketed product) on Wistar rats and a moderate anti-inflammatory action compared to the control group, but statistically insignificant compared to indomethacin in the rat-induced inflammation test by intraplantar administration of kaolin. The healing and anti-inflammatory properties of the tested ointment are due to phenolic acids and flavonoids content, less because of minor components as apocynin, scopoletin, and isofraxidin.

Investigation on wound healing effect of Mediterranean medicinal plants and some related phenolic compounds: A review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The human skin constitutes a biological barrier against external stress and wounds can reduce the role of its physiological structure. In medical sciences, wounds are considered a major problem that requires urgent intervention. For centuries, medicinal plants have been used in the Mediterranean countries for many purposes and against wounds.

AIM OF THIS REVIEW

Provides an outlook on the Mediterranean medicinal plants used in wound healing. Furthermore, the wound healing effect of polyphenolic compounds and their chemical structures are also summarized. Moreover, we discussed the wound healing process, the structure of the skin, and the current therapies in wound healing.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The search was performed in several databases such as ScienceDirect, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science. The following Keywords were used individually and/or in combination: the Mediterranean, wound healing, medicinal plants, phenolic compounds, composition, flavonoid, tannin.

RESULTS

The wound healing process is distinguished by four phases, which are respectively, hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. The Mediterranean medicinal plants are widely used in the treatment of wounds. The finding showed that eighty-nine species belonging to forty families were evaluated for their wound-healing effect in this area. The Asteraceae family was the most reported family with 12 species followed by Lamiaceae (11 species). Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, and Algeria were the countries where these plants are frequently used in wound healing. In addition to medicinal plants, results showed that nineteen phenolic compounds from different classes are used in wound treatment. Tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol, curcumin, luteolin, chrysin, rutin, kaempferol, quercetin, icariin, morin, epigallocatechin gallate, taxifolin, silymarin, hesperidin, naringin, isoliquiritin, puerarin, genistein, and daidzein were the main compounds that showed wound-healing effect.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, medicinal plants and polyphenolic compounds provide therapeutic evidence in wound healing and for the development of new drugs in this field.

Characterization of Polyphenolic Compounds from Bacopa procumbens and Their Effects on Wound-Healing Process

Wounds represent a medical problem that contributes importantly to patient morbidity and to healthcare costs in several pathologies. In Hidalgo, Mexico, the Bacopa procumbens plant has been traditionally used for wound-healing care for several generations; in vitro and in vivo experiments were designed to evaluate the effects of bioactive compounds obtained from a B. procumbens aqueous fraction and to determine the key pathways involved in wound regeneration. Bioactive compounds were characterized by HPLC/QTOF-MS, and proliferation, migration, adhesion, and differentiation studies were conducted on NIH/3T3 fibroblasts. Polyphenolic compounds from Bacopa procumbens (PB) regulated proliferation and cell adhesion; enhanced migration, reducing the artificial scratch area; and modulated cell differentiation. PB compounds were included in a hydrogel for topical administration in a rat excision wound model. Histological, histochemical, and mechanical analyses showed that PB treatment accelerates wound closure in at least 48 h and reduces inflammation, increasing cell proliferation and deposition and organization of collagen at earlier times. These changes resulted in the formation of a scar with better tensile properties. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR molecular analyses demonstrated that treatment induces (i) overexpression of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and (ii) the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 and ERK1/2, suggesting the central role of some PB compounds to enhance wound healing, modulating TGF-β activation.

Cinnamaldehyde-Based Self-Nanoemulsion (CA-SNEDDS) Accelerates Wound Healing and Exerts Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Rats’ Skin Burn Model

Cinnamaldehyde, the main phytoconstituent of the cinnamon oil, has been reported for its potential wound healing activity, associated to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we are reporting on the cinnamaldehyde-based self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (CA-SNEDDS), which was prepared and evaluated for its antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing potential using the rat third-degree skin injury model. The parameters, i.e., skin healing, proinflammatory, and oxidative/antioxidant markers, were evaluated after 3 weeks of treatment regimens with CA-SNEDDS. Twenty rats were divided randomly into negative control (untreated), SNEDDS control, silver sulfadiazine cream positive control (SS), and CA-SNEDDS groups. An aluminum cylinder (120 °C, 10-s duration) was used to induce 3rd-degree skin burns (1-inch square diameter each) on the rat’s dorsum. At the end of the experiment, skin biopsies were collected for biochemical analysis. The significantly reduced wound size in CA-SNEDDS compared to the negative group was observed. CA-SNEDDS-treated and SS-treated groups demonstrated significantly increased antioxidant biomarkers, i.e., superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and a significant reduction in the inflammatory marker, i.e., NAP-3, compared to the negative group. Compared to SNEDDS, CA-SNEDDS exhibited a substantial antimicrobial activity against all the tested organisms at the given dosage of 20 µL/disc. Among all the tested microorganisms, MRSA and S. typhimurium were the most susceptible bacteria, with an inhibition zone diameter (IZD) of 17.0 ± 0.3 mm and 19.0 ± 0.9 mm, respectively. CA-SNEDDS also exhibited strong antifungal activity against C. albicans and A. niger, with IZD of 35.0 ± 0.5 mm and 34.0 ± 0.5 mm, respectively. MIC and MBC of CA-SNEDDS for the tested bacteria ranged from 3.125 to 6.25 µL/mL and 6.25 to 12.5 µL/mL, respectively, while the MIC and MBC for C. albicans and A. niger were 1.56 µL/mL and 3.125 µL/mL, respectively. The MBIC and MBEC of CA-SNEDDS were also very significant for the tested bacteria and ranged from 6.25 to 12.5 µL/mL and 12.5 to 25.0 µL/mL, respectively, while the MBIC and MBEC for C. albicans and A. niger were 3.125 µL/mL and 6.25 µL/mL, respectively. Thus, the results indicated that CA-SNEDDS exhibited significant wound healing properties, which appeared to be attributed to the formulation’s antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Appraisal on the Wound Healing Potential of Deverra tortuosa DC. and Deverra triradiata Hochst Essential Oil Nanoemulsion Topical Preparation

Deverra tortuosa (Desf.) DC. and Deverra. triradiata Hochst. ex Bioss are perennial desert shrubs widely used traditionally for many purposes and they are characteristic for their essential oil. The objective of the present study was to investigate the in vivo wound healing activity of the essential oil (EO) of D. tortuosa and D. triradiata through their encapsulation into nanoemulsion. EO nanoemulsion was prepared using an aqueous phase titration method, and nanoemulsion zones were identified through the construction of phase diagrams. The EO was prepared by hydrodistillation (HD), microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD), and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and analyzed using GC/MS. D. tortuosa oil is rich in the non-oxygenated compound, representing 74.54, 73.02, and 41.19% in HD, MADH, and SFE, respectively, and sabinene represents the major monoterpene hydrocarbons. Moreover, D. triradiata is rich in oxygenated compounds being 69.77, 52.87, and 61.69% in HD, MADH, and SFE, respectively, with elemicin and myristicin as major phenylpropanoids. Topical application of the nanoemulsion of D. tortuosa and D. triradiata (1% or 2%) exhibited nearly 100% wound contraction and complete healing at day 16. Moreover, they exhibit significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and a significant increase in growth factors and hydroxyproline levels. Histopathological examination exhibited complete re-epithelialization accompanied by activated hair follicles and abundant collagen fibers, especially at a concentration of 2%. Therefore, the incorporation of the two Deverra species into nanoemulsion could professionally endorse different stages of wound healing.

Therapeutic Potential of Skin Stem Cells and Cells of Skin Origin: Effects of Botanical Drugs Derived from Traditional Medicine

Skin, the largest organ of the body, plays a vital role in protecting inner organs. Skin stem cells (SSCs) comprise a group of cells responsible for multiplication and replacement of damaged and non-functional skin cells; thereby help maintain homeostasis of skin functions. SSCs and differentiated cells of the skin such as melanocytes and keratinocytes, have a plethora of applications in regenerative medicine. However, as SSCs reside in small populations in specific niches in the skin, use of external stimulants for cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo is vital. Synthetic and recombinant stimulants though available, pose many challenges due to their exorbitant prices, toxicity issues and side effects. Alternatively, time tested traditional medicine preparations such as polyherbal formulations are widely tested as effective natural stimulants, to mainly stimulate proliferation, and melanogenesis/prevention of melanogenesis of both SSCs and cells of skin origin. Complex, multiple targets, synergistic bioactivities of the phytochemical constituents of herbal preparations amply justify these as natural stimulants. The use of these formulations in clinical applications such as in skin regeneration for burn wounds, wound healing acceleration, enhancement or decrease of melanin pigmentations will be in great demand. Although much multidisciplinary research is being conducted on the use of herbal formulas as stem cell stimulants, very few related clinical trials are yet registered with the NIH clinical trial registry. Therefore, identification/ discovery, in depth investigations culminating in clinical trials, as well as standardization and commercialization of such natural stimulants must be promoted, ensuring the sustainable use of medicinal plants.

Pharmacological action and underlying molecular mechanism of Callistemon: A genus of promising medicinal herbs

INTRODUCTION

The genus Callistemon belongs to a group of medically significant plants which have found tremendous use in traditional medicine across the globe. They are reported for anti-cancer, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-microbial, and many other significant medicinal attributes. However, the current use of this genus is limited mainly to ornamental and recreational purposes. Recent studies have reported several novel compounds like phloroglucinol derivatives, terpenes, phenolics, etc., from Callistemon spp., which have great medical significance. Further, there is a surge of recent studies reporting novel pharmacological properties of Callistemon. The number of review studies discussing the underlying molecular mechanism behind the pharmacological action of Callistemon is quite limited.

METHODS

The literature search for studies published from 1991 to 2021 using Google scholar and PubMed were selected. The review documented relevant literature focused on Callistemon spp exhibiting significant pharmacological effects.

RESULTS

This review deals with the pharmacological properties of Callistemon and the underlying molecular mechanism responsible for protective effect in several pathophysiological conditions. This study updated the current information regarding the medicinal importance of Callistemon spp. for research and the public community.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The preliminary studies, interrogating pharmacological properties of Callistemon spp., hold great promise and demand further research to decipher the mode of action. More and more research are needed in this direction to explore the full potential of the genus Callistemon as a medicinal herb.

An Up-To-Date Review Regarding Cutaneous Benefits of Origanum vulgare L. Essential Oil

Due to the plethora of pharmacological activities reported in the literature, Origanum vulgare L. is a valuable aromatic plant for the medicine of the XXI century. Recent studies highlight that Origanum vulgare L. essential oil (OvEo) has gained attention in the dermatological field due to the cosmeceutical potential correlated with the presence of thymol and carvacrol. As a result of the fulminant expansion of bacterial resistance to antibiotics and the aggressiveness of skin infections, OvEo was extensively studied for its antimicrobial activity against Staphyloccocus spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, researchers have also assessed the anti-inflammatory activity of OvEo, suggesting its tissue remodeling and wound healing potential. Whereas OvEo comprises important biological activities that are used in a wide range of pathologies, recently, essential oils have shown great potential in the development of new therapeutic alternatives for skin disorders, such as acne, wounds or aging. Furthermore, substantial efforts have been committed to the development of modern formulations, such as microemulsions and nanoemulsions, in order to create the possibility for topical application. The review brings to the fore the most recent findings in the dermatological field regarding potential plant-based therapies involving OvEo, emphasizing the modern pharmaceutical formulation approaches and the cutaneous benefits in skin disorders.

A lexical review on Vishaghna Dravyas of Kaideva Nighantu

Introduction

Agad Tantra being the unique branch that deals with toxicology and its management enlists several antitoxic drugs used for various poisonings. Ancient texts comprise the list of a wide range of traditional medicines, but they are not explored due to lack of incomprehension.

Aims

The review has been written with the aim to dig out the hidden knowledge of Vishaghna Dravyas (alexeterics) mentioned in Kaiydeva Nighantu.

Materials and methods

This Nighantu was written in the 15th century A. D. by Kaiydeva with the name "Pathya-Apathya-Vibodhaka" it comprising of total 514 Dravyas out of which 175 drugs possess Vishagna (anti-poisonous) property.

Results

These Vishaghna Dravyas (alexeterics) have been distributed based on various Vargas (classes) which is described as 121 belonging to Ausghada Varga (drug class) as single drugs and four as groups, total of 16 from Dhatu Varga (metal class) as single drugs and one as compound or as a group, 9 from Dhanya Varga (cereal class) as a single drug, 15 in Dravya Varga as single drugs, and 5 as compound or as a group. Two each in Kritana Varga and Vihara Varga and one in Mansa Varga as compound or as a group. Out of all the 175 Vishagna Dravayas (alexeterics), 18 Dravyas (substances) are specific indications in combating particular types of envenomation or poisoning conditions.

Conclusion

All the abovementioned drugs are screened for the purpose of revalidation to bring out their therapeutic utility.

Evaluation of the wound healing properties of South African medicinal plants using zebrafish and in vitro bioassays

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In South Africa, medicinal plants have a history of traditional use, with many species used for treating wounds. The scientific basis of such uses remains largely unexplored.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To screen South African plants used ethnomedicinally for wound healing based on their pro-angiogenic and wound healing activity, using transgenic zebrafish larvae and cell culture assays.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

South African medicinal plants used for wound healing were chosen according to literature. Dried plant material was extracted using six solvents of varying polarities. Pro-angiogenesis was assessed in vivo by observing morphological changes in sub-intestinal vessels after crude extract treatment of transgenic zebrafish larvae with vasculature-specific expression of a green fluorescent protein. Subsequently, the in vitro anti-inflammatory, fibroblast proliferation and collagen production effects of the plant extracts that were active in the zebrafish angiogenesis assay were investigated using murine macrophage (RAW 264.7) and human fibroblast (MRHF) cell lines.

RESULTS

Fourteen plants were extracted using six different solvents to yield 84 extracts and the non-toxic (n=72) were initially screened for pro-angiogenic activity in the zebrafish assay. Of these plant species, extracts of Lobostemon fruticosus, Scabiosa columbaria and Cotyledon orbiculata exhibited good activity in a concentration-dependent manner. All active extracts showed negligible in vitro toxicity using the MTT assay. Lobostemon fruticosus and Scabiosa columbaria extracts showed noteworthy anti-inflammatory activity in RAW 264.7 macrophages. The acetone extract of Lobostemon fruticosus stimulated the most collagen production at 122% above control values using the MRHF cell line, while all four of the selected extracts significantly stimulated cellular proliferation in vitro in the MRHF cell line.

CONCLUSIONS

The screening of the selected plant species provided valuable preliminary information validating the use of some of the plants in traditional medicine used for wound healing in South Africa. This study is the first to discover through an evidence-based pharmacology approach the wound healing properties of such plant species using the zebrafish as an in vivo model.

Ointment-Based Combination of Dittrichia viscosa L. and Marrubium vulgare L. Accelerate Burn Wound Healing

Burns constitute a major challenge in medical science, and plants can be part of the solution. Dittrichia viscosa L. (Asteraceae) and Marrubium vulgare L. (Lamiaceae) are widely used in Moroccan traditional medicine to treat several diseases and possess high potency to cure wounds. This study aimed to investigate in vivo the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and burn-healing effects of both plants and their mixture. The hydro-ethanolic extract of both plants was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD). Burns were conducted on dorsal part of rats, and the wound healing process was evaluated during 21 days. Gallic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and quercetin were identified in M. vulgare extract. The analysis recorded the presence of caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, rutin, and quercetin in D. viscosa. The group treated with the mixture showed the lowest abdominal contractions (30.4 ± 7.52) with the highest percentage of inhibition (69.12 ± 7.04%). The inhibition of paw inflammation for M. vulgare was 47.65%, followed by D. viscosa (33.86%) and the mixture (30.41%). The mixture showed the highest wound contraction at day 7 (33.16 ± 14.33%) and day 14 (87.54 ± 3.98%). D. viscosa showed the highest wound contraction on the 21st day (99.28 ± 0.44%). In conclusion, both plants and their combination showed promising results for burn healing.

Recent Advances on Bacterial Cellulose-Based Wound Management: Promises and Challenges

Wound healing is a therapeutic challenge due to the complexity of the wound. Various wounds could cause severe physiological trauma and bring social and economic burdens to the patient. The conventional wound healing treatments using bandages and gauze are limited particularly due to their susceptibility to infection. Different types of wound dressing have developed in different physical forms such as sponges, hydrocolloids, films, membranes, and hydrogels. Each of these formulations possesses distinct characteristics making them appropriate for the treatment of a specific wound. In this review, the pathology and microbiology of wounds are introduced. Then, the most recent progress on bacterial cellulose- (BC-) based wound dressing discussed and highlighted their antibacterial and reepithelization properties in vitro and in vivo wound closure. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives on the development of BC-based wound dressing biomaterials are outlined.

Chemical Composition of Salix koreensis Anderss Flower Absolute and Its Skin Wound Healing Activities In Vitro

Salix koreensis Anderss (SKA) has been used traditionally to treat inflammation, pain, and edema. SKA has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, but no study has examined its effects on skin wound healing. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of the absolute extracted from SKA flower (SKAFAb) on skin wound healing-associated responses in keratinocytes. SKAFAb was produced using a solvent extraction method and its chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The effects of SKAFAb on HaCaT cells (a human epidermal keratinocyte cell line) were investigated using a Boyden chamber and 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation, sprout outgrowth, immunoblotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent, and water-soluble tetrazolium salt assays. Sixteen constituents were identified in SKAFAb. SKAFAb promoted HaCaT cell proliferation, migration, and type I and IV collagen productions. SKAFAb increased sprout outgrowth and increased the phosphorylations of serine/threonine-specific protein kinase (Akt), c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in HaCaT cells. These results indicate that SKAFAb promotes keratinocyte proliferation and migration, probably by activating Akt and MAPK signaling pathways, and induces collagen synthesis in keratinocytes. SKAFAb may be a promising material for promoting skin wound healing.

Impact of acacia arabica topical gel on skin wound healing: An experimental study

Aim of the study: To estimate the influence of Acacia Arabica gel abstract on skin wound healing. Material and method: 28male adult rabbits were included, 2 incisions of 1cm length were made on the skin of the rabbit’s back, one is treated by acacia gel while another left for normal healing, histopathological examination was done at 24h, 3, 7 and 14 days intervals. Results: The inflammatory reactions showed no significant results for both the control group and the study group during the study intervals. Granulation tissue in the control group was absent after 24h but increased to become profound after 7 days then become moderate, while the study group showed scanty granulation tissue from the first day and increased through study intervals. Re-epithelialization mean scores in the study group were higher than control one. Conclusions: Acacia arabica has the efficacy of hastening the wound healing process.

Plant-based Natural Products for Wound Healing: A Critical Review

Wound healing is an intricate process consisting of four overlapping phases, namely hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodelling. Effective treatment of wounds depends upon the interaction of appropriate cell types, cell surface receptors, and the extracellular matrix with the therapeutic agents. Several approaches currently used for treating wounds, such as advanced wound dressing, growth factor therapy, stem cell therapy, and gene therapy, are not very effective and lead to impaired healing. Further, repeated use of antibiotics to treat open wounds leads to multi- drug resistance. Today there is considerable interest in plant-based drugs as they are believed to be safe, inexpensive, and more suitable for chronic wounds. For example, a large number of plant- based extracts and their bioactive compounds have been investigated for wound healing. In recent years the structural and mechanistic diversity of natural products have become central players in the search for newer therapeutic agents. In the present review, a thorough critical survey of the traditionally used plant-based drugs used worldwide for wound healing with special reference to the natural products/bioactive compounds isolated and screened is presented. It is hoped that this review will attract the attention of the research community involved in newer drug design and development for wound healing.

Ethnopharmacological Survey and Comparative Study of the Healing Activity of Moroccan Thyme Honey and Its Mixture with Selected Essential Oils on Two Types of Wounds on Albino Rabbits

Wound healing consists of several continuous phases involving various cells and chemical intermediates. As a rich source of nutrition elements, honey has proved to have potential benefits in the treatment of various diseases. The present study was designed to investigate the healing effect of a honey mixture with selected essential oils on chemical and thermal wound models in rabbits. Dressing mixtures of Thymus vulgaris honey with three essential oils (Origanum vulgare, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Thymus vulgaris) were prepared and applied daily in the treatment groups. These essential oils were rich in phytochemicals and had significant antibacterial activity against four selected ATCC bacterial strains. Madecasol ointment was used as a standard control. The healing effect of the mixtures was evaluated by measuring wound surface area and comparing healing time. The results showed that the healing rate in the treatment groups was significantly higher than that of the untreated group and standard group. The best healing effect for burns was seen in the mixture of honey and Thymus vulgaris essential oil, which had wound closure rates of 85.21% and 82.14% in thermal- and chemical-induced burns, respectively, and showed the shortest healing time (14 days) in comparison to other groups. Therefore, it can be concluded that honey mixtures have significant beneficial effects on skin wound healing and, thus, they may be used as a healing agent in different types of wounds in humans after specific clinical trials.

Preparation and evaluation of polycaprolactone/chitosan/Jaft biocompatible nanofibers as a burn wound dressing

Tissue engineering is an emerging method for replacing damaged tissues. In this study, the potential application of electrospun polycaprolactone/chitosan/ the internal layer of oak fruit (Jaft) as skin scaffolds was investigated. A combination of Polycaprolactone (PCL), chitosan (CH), and the internal layer of oak fruit (Jaft) was used to incorporate mechanical properties of synthetic polymers, biological properties of natural polymers, and antibacterial activity of Jaft. Physical and morphological characteristics of prepared scaffolds were investigated using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), mechanical analysis, swelling ratio, and contact angle. Moreover, chemical and biological properties were evaluated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), chromatography, flow cytometry, DAPI staining, MTT assay, and trypan blue exclusion assay. Obtained results demonstrated that the fabricated scaffolds have good mechanical properties. Moreover, the addition of chitosan and Jaft to the PCL scaffolds improved their water absorption capacity as well as surface hydrophilicity. MTT results showed the fabricated nanofibrous scaffolds have adequate cell viability, which is higher than the cell culture plate at each time point of culture. Furthermore, SEM images of cultured scaffolds, trypan blue exclusion assay, and DAPI staining confirmed that fibroblast cells could be well-attached and proliferate on the PCL/CH/Jaft scaffolds. Results have proven that this novel bioactive scaffold has promising mechanical properties, suitable biocompatibility in vitro, and in vivo. Consequently, it could be a promising candidate for skin tissue engineering applications.

Marine Health-Promoting Compounds: Recent Trends for Their Characterization and Human Applications

Seaweeds represent a rich source of biologically active compounds with several applications, especially in the food, cosmetics, and medical fields. The beneficial effects of marine compounds on health have been increasingly explored, making them an excellent choice for the design of functional foods. When studying marine compounds, several aspects must be considered: extraction, identification and quantification methods, purification steps, and processes to increase their stability. Advanced green techniques have been used to extract these valuable compounds, and chromatographic methods have been developed to identify and quantify them. However, apart from the beneficial effects of seaweeds for human health, these natural sources of bioactive compounds can also accumulate undesirable toxic elements with potential health risks. Applying purification techniques of extracts from seaweeds may mitigate the amount of excessive toxic components, ensuring healthy and safer products for commercialization. Furthermore, limitations such as stability and bioavailability problems, chemical degradation reactions during storage, and sensitivity to oxidation and photo-oxidation, need to be overcome using, for example, nanoencapsulation techniques. Here we summarize recent advances in all steps of marine products identification and purification and highlight selected human applications, including food and feed applications, cosmetic, human health, and fertilizers, among others.

Wound Healing Activities and Potential of Selected African Medicinal Plants and Their Synthesized Biogenic Nanoparticles

In Africa, medicinal plants have been traditionally used as a source of medicine for centuries. To date, African medicinal plants continue to play a significant role in the treatment of wounds. Chronic wounds are associated with severe healthcare and socio-economic burdens despite the use of conventional therapies. Emergence of novel wound healing strategies using medicinal plants in conjunction with nanotechnology has the potential to develop efficacious wound healing therapeutics with enhanced wound repair mechanisms. This review identified African medicinal plants and biogenic nanoparticles used to promote wound healing through various mechanisms including improved wound contraction and epithelialization as well as antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. To achieve this, electronic databases such as PubMed, Scifinder^® and Google Scholar were used to search for medicinal plants used by the African populace that were scientifically evaluated for their wound healing activities in both in vitro and in vivo models from 2004 to 2021. Additionally, data on the wound healing mechanisms of biogenic nanoparticles synthesized using African medicinal plants is included herein. The continued scientific evaluation of wound healing African medicinal plants and the development of novel nanomaterials using these plants is imperative in a bid to alleviate the detrimental effects of chronic wounds.

Investigating the hemostatic effect of medicinal plant Arnebia euchroma (Royle) I.M.Johnst extract in a mouse model

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Arnebia euchroma (Royle) I.M.Johnst (AE) has been reported to be a potentially useful medicinal herb for the treatment of several circulatory diseases in traditional Chinese medicine. It shows effects such as "cooling of the blood," promotion of blood circulation, detoxification, and rash clearance.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To explore the hemostatic effect of the ethyl acetate extract of AE in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, we explored the effects of AE on bleeding time, blood coagulation time, platelet count, and blood coagulation parameters in normal Kunming mice. Different doses of the AE extract (5, 10, and 20 g kg^-1·day^-1) were administered to mice for 14 days. Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na at 0.5%) and Yunnan Baiyao (0.8 g kg^-1·day^-1) were administered as negative and positive control treatments, respectively. Bleeding time, blood coagulation time, platelet count, blood platelet aggregation, blood platelet adhesion to fibrinogen, platelet factor 4 (PF-4) secretions from blood platelets, and blood coagulation parameters including prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), thrombin time (TT), and fibrinogen (FIB) levels were measured on day 15 of administration.

RESULTS

Bleeding and blood coagulation time were significantly lower and TT was shorter in the AE extract-treated groups than in the control groups. Furthermore, FIB levels and platelet count were higher, whereas blood platelet aggregation, blood platelet adhesion to fibrinogen, and PF-4 secretion from blood platelets were more obvious in the AE extract-treated groups than in the control group. However, no significant differences were detected for PT and aPTT between the extract-treated and control groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The ethyl acetate extract of AE showed potential hemostasis effects in mice by shortening the bleeding and coagulation time. In addition, the extract increased platelet count and induced blood platelet aggregation, blood platelet adhesion to fibrinogen, PF-4 secretion from blood platelets, and FIB level, while it shortened TT.

Alternative Wound Management: Translating Science into Practice

GENERAL PURPOSE

To present a scoping review of preclinical and clinical trial evidence supporting the efficacy and/or safety of major alternative wound care agents to summarize their effects on validated elements of wound bed preparation and wound management paradigms.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES

After participating in this educational activity, the participant will:1. Differentiate the effectiveness of the topical wound care agents included in this review.2. Compare the preventive efficacy of intravenous agents administered to trauma and surgical patients.3. Select the effectiveness of products in this review that are left in place after surgical procedures.4. Identify an oral agent that can be helpful in mitigating the effects of COVID-19.

Role of Hypericum perforatum oil and pomegranate seed oil in wound healing: an in vitro study

This study aimed to investigate the wound-healing efficacy of Hypericum perforatum and pomegranate seed extract oil combined with curcumin as an anti inflammatory agent. A series of experiments were carried out to determine effective concentrations for H. perforatum oil, pomegranate seed extract oil, and curcumin. Ibuprofen was used as a positive control. The wound-healing effects of the applied compounds were tested according to the migration experiment model performed in HaCaT cells. A real-time cell analyzer (xCELLigence) was used to determine the cytotoxic/proliferative effects of H. perforatum, pomegranate seed oil, ibuprofen, and curcumin in HaCaT cells alone and their combined use at specified concentrations. After examining the noncytotoxic concentrations of H. perforatum oil, pomegranate seed oil, curcumin, and ibuprofen, migration experiments were performed to examine the wound healing properties. According to the results, the wound-healing efficacy of curcumin and H. perforatum combination was better than ibuprofen combinations. Also, according to the results, the wound-healing efficacy of curcumin and pomegranate seed oil combination was better than ibuprofen combinations. It was concluded that both oils had improved wound-healing properties in combination with curcumin or Ibuprofen.

Semi-Solid Product of Medicinal Leech Enhances Wound Healing in Rats

Background: Wound causes a series of cascading reactions such as cellular damage, inflammatory reactions, and infection. Objectives: The present study aimed to prepare pharmaceutical skin product from lyophilized Hirudo orientalis leech source with active enzyme and proteins, having wound healing and anti-coagulation activities. Methods: The present study focused on the bioactive protein of Hirudo orientalis with anti-trypsin and anti-coagulation activity. First, biological active substance was prepared from lyophilized leech conducted on resultant 5% leech cream. Skin absorption of 5% leech cream was evaluated by Franz cell test, and in vivo wound healing capability of the leech cream was compared with phenytoin cream. In addition, the microbial control of final product was summed-up. Further, the quality control analysis and protein purification in final product were conducted using elution procedure on Hirudin protein-related region. Finally, the anticoagulant activity of the resultant protein was observed. Results: Using the result of the experiments investigating the successful effect containment function of the trypsin, we established the decreased rate of UV absorption in the area of 410 nm in question based on increases in the amount of cream. With 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg of 5% leech cream, absorbance (A) rate was: A (1.9, 1.47, 0.753 and 0.00) (P < 0.05; √2 = 21.6). In anticoagulation activity increased rate of partial thromboplastin time (PTT) (sec) (mean ± SEM), (26 ± 0.00, 34.22 ± 0.61 and 42 ± 0.71) with the 0, 100, and 200 mg final product was established. No bacterial colony growth was observed in the microbial culture analysis. In vivo results demonstrated that leech cream and phenytoin could promote wound regeneration by accelerating the re-epithelialization process and initial angiogenesis among all treatment groups. Conclusions: In the wound healing, we usually seek to reduce pain and inflammation, beside epitelialization and angiogenesis. Leech saliva contains biological substances that we have proven in this study. Our expectations for wound healing will be met with this pharmaceutical product citing the result of this study. The leech product proved to be the best selection for cosmetic with the added capabilities of renovation of the hair glands and regular skin form and typical depth of outer layer of skin. Thus, the leech cream can be considered as a better substitute for the conventional wound healing products.

Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Polyherbal Formulation Used in Chronic Wound Healing

Objective

Polyherbal formulations Jathyadi Thailam and Jatyadi Ghritam (JT) are used in Indian traditional medicine for diabetic chronic wounds, fistula, fissure, eczema, and burn management. We aimed to investigate the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of crude hexane and ethanol extracts of JT formulations.

Methods

Antibacterial activity of JT extracts was tested to estimate minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against nine reference bacterial strains, including one methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and clinical strains of methicillin-susceptible S.aureus (MSSA), all involved in diabetic foot infection. The anti-inflammatory activity of plant extracts was evaluated in LPS-treated macrophage cells by measuring the mRNA levels and secretion of inflammatory mediators.

Results

The antibacterial activity of JT extracts was higher against Gram (+) bacteria, with the MICs varying from 1.95 to 62.5 mg/mL. Gram (−) bacteria were only susceptible to ethanol extracts of JT. Plant extracts were found to be the most active against the reference and clinical strains of MSSA, MRSA, and biofilm-forming S. epidermidis. JT extracts efficiently inhibited in a dose-dependent manner the mRNA expression and protein secretion of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β, and chemokines MCP-1 and CXCL10 in LPS-challenged macrophages.

Conclusion

In the present study, we have shown that extracts of JT formulations possess potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that could be involved in chronic wound healing activity and has the potential to be used as external add-on therapy in the management of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections at the wound.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the wound healing properties and safety assessment of two seaweeds (Sargassum ilicifolium and Ulva lactuca)

Seaweeds have been regarded as a reservoir of biologically active molecules that are important in the pharmaceutical industry. The aim of the present study was to explore the wound healing properties and to assess the safety of the seaweed Sargassum ilicifolium and Ulva lactuca. Enhanced cell proliferation and cell migration activities were observed in L929 cells treated with S. ilicifolium extract compared to U. lactuca extract treated cells and the control group. In-vivo experiments were conducted using five groups (10 in each) of Albino mice (BALB/c). Mice in group I and group II were treated (Orally, 100 mg/kg BW/day) with aqueous extracts of S. ilicifolium and U. lactuca, respectively for 14 days. Treatment group III received a topical application of the aqueous extract of S. ilicifolium (25% w/w) and ointment base (75% w/w) (2 g/kg BW/day, for 14 days). Group IV (Control) received an equal amount of distilled water, orally and mice in group V kept without wounds. The extract from S. ilicifolium showed stronger wound healing properties than the one from Ulva lactuca. Histopathological findings also revealed that the healing process was significantly enhanced in the mice group treated orally with S. ilicifolium aqueous extract. These findings show that S. ilicifolium species possess promising wound healing properties in-vitro and in-vivo.