The wound healing action of a cream latex formulation of Jatropha gaumeri Greenm. in a pre-clinical model

Role and Mechanisms of Phytochemicals in Hair Growth and Health

Hair health is associated with personal distress and psychological well-being. Even though hair loss (alopecia) does not affect humans' biological health, it affects an individual's social well-being. So, treatment for hair problems and improving hair health are obligatory. Several pharmacological and cosmeceutical treatment procedures are available to manage hair loss and promote growth. Several factors associated with hair health include genetics, disease or disorder, drugs, lifestyle, chemical exposure, and unhealthy habits such as smoking, diet, and stress. Synthetic and chemical formulations have side effects, so people are moving towards natural compounds-based remedies for their hair problems. The history of using phytochemicals for hair health has been documented anciently. However, scientific studies on hair loss have accelerated in recent decades. The current review summarizes the type of alopecia, the factor affecting hair health, alopecia treatments, phytochemicals' role in managing hair loss, and the mechanisms of hair growth-stimulating properties of phytochemicals. The literature survey suggested that phytochemicals are potent candidates for developing treatment procedures for different hair problems. Further detailed studies are needed to bring the scientific evidence to market.

Medicinal Plants from Latin America with Wound Healing Activity: Ethnomedicine, Phytochemistry, Preclinical and Clinical Studies—A Review

Latin America is a multicultural region with ancient traditional medicine. There is extensive knowledge of the use of medicinal plants for wound healing in this region. Nevertheless, many of these medicinal plants lack pharmacological, toxicological, and chemical studies. This review focuses on the ethnomedicinal, phytochemical, and pharmacological (preclinical and clinical) studies of medicinal plants with wound healing activity, from Latin America. An electronic database search was conducted by consulting scientific articles and books. A total of 305 plant species with wound healing activity were recorded, based on traditional medicine. Most medicinal plants used in wound healing in Latin America are topically administered; their methods of preparation are mainly by water infusion from aerial parts. Only thirty-five percent of medicinal plants used in traditional medicine for wound healing have been experimentally validated for their pharmacological effects, and the wound healing activity of five medicinal plants has been studied in clinical trials. In all, 25 compounds (mostly terpenes and flavonoids) have been isolated from medicinal plants with wound healing activity; therefore, extensive work is necessary for a multidisciplinary approach to evaluate the wound healing effects of medicinal plants in Latin America. The mechanism of action of medicinal plants, their toxicological actions on the skin, and their bioactive compounds, have yet to be investigated. This review on the ethnomedicinal, phytochemical, and pharmacological studies, of medicinal plants from Latin America with wound healing activity, offers promising data for further studies, as well as providing new insights into their possible role in wound care.

Wound healing by topical application of Momordica charantia L. formulations on mice

Background and Aim

Momordica charantia is mainly characterized by its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. The current study aimed to evaluate the healing activity of gel and cream formulations based on M. charantia on induced wounds in mice.

Materials and Methods

Acetonic extract of M. charantia was prepared and incorporated into gel and cream formulations. Mus musculus Balb/c (n=30) with induced injury were distributed into five groups: Group I (control - day 7), Group II (control - day 14), Group III (1% gel - day 7), and Group IV (1% gel - day 14) to which 1% M. charantia gel was dermally applied daily for 7 and 14 days, respectively, Group V (1% cream - day 7) and Group VI (1% cream - day 14) to which of M. charantia 1% cream were dermally applied daily for 7 and 14 days, respectively. Time of wound closure was determined during the experimentation; rats were euthanized with sodium pentobarbital 60 mg/kg/pc v.ip. for obtaining skin samples for histopathological analysis.

Results

Groups IV and VI showed a higher percentage of wound closure on day 14, and in histopathological analysis, effect was greater in Group VI with the presence of fibroblasts and abundant collagen and elastic fibers.

Conclusion

M. charantia gel and cream showed wound healing activity on induced wounded mice; the most effective treatment was M. charantia 1% cream formulation.