Stinging plants: as future bio-weapon

Investigating the effects of dermal exposure to in-vivo animal models on the riot-control properties of a powder formulation of Tragia involucrata leaf hair lining

Purpose: Riot control agents (RCAs) such as CS, CN, CR, PAVA, and OC, etc., are already in use and has produced numerous health risks, including skin burns, dermatitis, gastrointestinal issues, impairment of respiratory variables, conjunctivitis, etc., and even prolonged and repeated exposure may cause death. Therefore, there is a demand and need for non-lethal, non-toxic RCAs that can effectively control riots without resulting in fatal outcomes. This study was carried out to evaluate the health risks related to a novel formulation made from isolated Tragia involucrata leaf hair lining, that can be used as the best suitable non-lethal RCAs.Methods: According to the OECD guidelines, studies on acute dermal toxicity, dermal irritation/corrosion, and skin sensitisation were carried out. Wistar rats were used in an acute dermal toxicity study, and the results indicated no mortality, morbidity, or abnormal food-and-water intake, biochemical parameters, or histopathological examination findings. A study on dermal irritation in Rabbits produced moderate erythema and the effect was instantaneous and resolved within 72 hrs of post-exposure. A skin sensitisation test was conducted on Guinea pig.Results: The results showed that the formulation had moderate skin-sensitizing properties after the application of the challenge dose. Patchy erythema was seen, and it went away 30 hrs after the gauze patch was removed.Conclusion: The preclinical results did not produce any indication of severe toxicity which supports it to be used as a natural RCAs in the future.

Ethnopharmacological Use and Biological Activities of Tragia involucrata L

Plants have been utilized as medicines to treat various ailments since ancient times. Formulations made by plant materials have been used in traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine and remain widespread in both developing and developed countries. In developing countries, traditional medicines are widely practiced due to its accessibility and affordability, while in developed countries, complementary and alternative medicine are widely popular due to the adverse effects of chemical drugs. Tragia involucrata Linn. (family: Euphorbiaceae) is a highly used medicinal plant used in both Sri Lankan and Indian traditional medical systems. Since this plant is a weed, it is being extensively destroyed due to the lack of knowledge regarding the medicinal value of this plant. Hence, the objective of this study was to collect data on the medicinal value of this plant by correlating its scientifically validated biological activities with its ethnopharmacological uses. An attempt was made to gather as much information available regarding the ethnopharmacological uses and scientifically validated biological activities of Tragia involucrata through authentic traditional texts, scientific journals, and other authentic texts regarding medicinal plants. Thus, the review provides an insight to the capability of Tragia involucrata to be used as a monoherbal formulation for diseases pertaining to multiple systems of the body. With all the scientifically validated biological activities and the ethnopharmacological uses, Tragia involucrata may qualify as a potent candidate to be developed into a phytomedicine to be utilized as both a preventive and as a therapeutic agent.