Evaluation
of a Polyherbal Preparation for Wound Healing Activity
Anurag Nema1, A.K. Pathak1, Ankur Choubey2,
Priya Singh2 and Yogesh Shivhare2*
1Department of Pharmacognosy, Barkatullah
University, Bhopal (M.P.)
2Department
of Pharmacognosy, VNS Institute of Pharmacy, Bhopal (M.P.)
ABSTRACT:
The wound healing property of polyherbal formulation
containing the extract of Psidium guajava and Ficus religiosa was evaluated in
excision and burn wound model. The formulation responded significantly
in both the wound models tested. The results were comparable in terms of wound
contracting ability and epithelialization time. Thus,
this exploration confirms the use of formulation containing the extract
of Psidium
guajava and Ficus religiosa as a wound healing agent.
KEYWORDS: Psidium guajava, Ficus religiosa, Polyherbal
INTRODUCTION
Wound
healing and tissue repair are complex processes that involve a dynamic series
of events including clotting, inflammation, granulation tissue formation,
epithelization, collagen synthesis and tissue remolding. These phases run
either concurrently or intimately inter-linked through some chemical, biochemical
and cellular the healing of wound by intervening in one or many phases of wound
healing1,2.
Psidium guajava Linn (family- Myrtaceae), is a
sub deciduous shrub. Leaves are
opposite, short-petiolate, the blade oval with prominent pinnate veins, 5–15 cm
long. The leaves contain essential oil having the
main components such as α-pinene, β-pinene, limonene,
menthol, terpenyl acetate and tannins3.
The Bark is quite smooth, pale pinkish brown or buff with gray patches4. Ficus religiosa Linn (family-Moraceae), commonly known as Peepal,
is a glabrous tree. The bark is light grey and peels off in
patches. The bark is astringent cooling, haemostatic and laxative. It is used
in diabetes, diarrhoea, leucorrhoea, menorrhagia, nervous disorders, for
vaginal and other urinogenital disorders and to improve the complexion. The
leaves are large up to 16cm in length, alternate with petioles and a broadly
ovate, subcoriacious lamina. The fruits are osteolar, sessile and
ovate-lanceolate5. However,
the polyherbal preparation of Psidium
guajava and Ficus religiosa has
not been screened scientifically for its wound healing promoting potential.
Hence, the present work was selected to evaluate wound healing property of this
preparation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Collection of plant material:
Psidium guajava (leaves) & Ficus religiosa (bark) were collected
from campus of Barkatullah University, Bhopal and authenticated by Department
of Pharmacy, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, where a voucher specimen
(BUPH-4035/A/B) was deposited. Both leaves and bark were shade dried, powdered
and stored in well closed container.
Table 1. Effect of polyherbal
preparation on wound closure in excision and burn wound model
|
Groups |
Post wounding days |
|||
|
4 |
8 |
12 |
16 |
|
|
Excision wound |
||||
|
Group A |
483.87±0.72 |
256.89±0.78 |
176.97±0.80 |
49.68±0.64 |
|
Group B |
334.77±3.08 |
168.59±1.37 |
110.30±0.80 |
16.76±1.28 |
|
Group C |
367.52±0.66 |
198.18±0.72 |
149.06±0.24 |
22.10±0.29 |
|
Burn Wound |
||||
|
Group A |
489.87±0.72 |
365.89±0.78 |
206.97±0.80 |
79.68±0.64 |
|
Group B |
374.77±3.08 |
188.59±1.37 |
94.30±0.80 |
16.76±1.28 |
|
Group C |
389.36±0.97 |
238.00±1.07 |
169.68±0.64 |
24.73±0.49 |
Preparation of extract and formulation:
Powdered drug of both plants were extracted with
ethanol-water (70:30) using soxhlet apparatus separately. Solvent removal
carried out under pressure afforded a semi solid mass with a yield of The
semisolid mass was obtained and used as ingredient for 5% ointment preparation. About 5 g of each semisolid extract was incorporated into
the 100g of simple ointment base B.P.6
Pharmacological activity:
Experimental animals:
The
adult albino wistar rats (100-150g) of either sex were selected for
pharmacological activity. Animals were fed on standard diet and water ad libitum. The animals were
acclimatized for one week under laboratory condition. Institutional Animal Ethical committee (#444) permitted
the study. The animals were divided into three groups containing 6 in each
group. Group A, Group B. Group C were consider as control (simple ointment
base), standard (silver sulphadiazine) and treated (polyherbal preparation)
respectively.
Excision
wound model:
For excision wound studies, a circular wound of about 500 mm2 made on the depilated dorsal thoracic
region of the rat under light ether anesthesia7. The particular skin area
was shaved one day prior to the experiment. The polyherbal preparation was
applied for days to treated group. The percentage of wound closure and
epithelialization time was observed8,
9.
Burn
wound model:
Partial thickness burn wounds were
inflicted upon animals starved overnight under light ether anesthesia, by
pouring hot molten wax at 80°C into a metal cylinder with 500 mm2 circular
opening, placed on the back of the animal10. The polyherbal preparation was
applied for days to treated group. The percentage of wound closure and
epithelialization time was observed.
Statistical
Analysis:
The result of wound
model were reported as mean ± S.D. Significant intergroup difference was
analyzed separately and one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out.
Values of P<0.01 were considered
statistically significant.
RESULTS:
Effect of polyherbal preparation on excision wound:
The obtained results indicate the topical application
of polyherbal preparation containing extracts of Psidium guajava and Ficus
religiosa have significant wound healing activity. It produced a
significant decrease in wound closure and epithelialization
time when compared to control (P<0.01). The results were recorded in Table 1 and 2.
Table 2. Effect of polyherbal
preparation on epithelialization time in excision and burn wound model
|
Groups |
Epithelialization time
(Days) |
|
|
Excision wound |
Burn wound |
|
|
Group A |
23.33±0.82 |
25.13±0.52 |
|
Group B |
17.16±0.99 |
18.16±1.16 |
|
Group C |
19.5±1.04 |
21.13±1.12 |
Effect of polyherbal preparation on burn wound:
Like the excision wound, topical application of
polyherbal preparation containing extracts of Psidium guajava and Ficus
religiosa significantly shortened the wound closure and epithelialization time when compared to control (P<0.01). Comparative analysis
of different groups indicates the better healing pattern of polyherbal
preparation as compared to control. The results were depicted in Table 1 and 2.
DISCUSSION:
It is a well-accepted fact that wounds in
most tissues heal by repair, by laying down non-specific connective tissues. More than 50% of
connective tissue is made up of collagen in case of sutured wounds. In excised
wounds, since the edges are not in contact with each other contraction and
epithelialization are necessary for the repair process. Hence, laying down and
weaving of the collagen material into the healing wound is an important feature11. Thus, it is
understandable that substances that influence the collagen turnover or
maturation enhance the process of wound healing.
The results of the present work revealed
that polyherbal preparation of Psidium
guajava and Ficus religiosa
possess considerable wound healing activity which was established by a significant increase in the rate of wound
contraction and by enhanced epithelialization time. Flavonoids have been
recognized to acquire effective antioxidant and free radical scavenging effect,
which is supposed to be one of the most important components for wound healing12. Triterpenes are the chief constituents for wound healing activity13. Phytochemical screening
revealed the presence of flavonoids in Psidium guajava and Ficus religiosa. Thus, the
improved wound healing may be due to free radical scavenging action of
phytoconstituents present in it, which either due to their individual or
additive effect.
CONCLUSION:
From the results
obtained it is evident the prepared polyherbal preparation has potential to
heal both excision and burn wounds.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
The authors are
thankful to Department of Pharmacy, Barkatullah University Bhopal, for
providing necessary facility to carry out this research work.
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Received on 20.04.2010
Accepted on 31.05.2010
© A&V Publication all right reserved
Research J. Pharmacology and
Pharmacodynamics. 2(5): Sept.-Oct. 2010, 340-342