Evaluation of Anti-Microbial, Anti-Fungal and Wound Healing Activity of Ointment Formulations of Methanolic Extracts of Acalypha Indica and Piper Betel Leafs in Rats
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Abstract
Plants have immense potential activity to treat and prevent different types of aliments. Herbs have been in use for thousands of years in Ayurveda and only a few have been scientifically validated for their molecular mechanisms. Wound healing is an important research aspect where rapid healing is desirable to balance the physical performance and health of the subjects. From ancient times plants were being used traditionally to treat several aliments including different types of wounds. Wound refers to an injury that damages the normal integrity of the skin. In wound healing a complex process involved like Hemostasis, Inflammation, Proliferation and Re-modeling phases. Certain plants are known to poses potential wound healing activities and many of them were not scientifically evaluated. The wound healing activity of plant extracts maybe due to specific type of phytoconstituents present in them. In the present study methanolic extracts of Acalypha Indica (10% w/w & 20% w/w) and Piper Betel leaf (10% w/w & 20% w/w) ointment studied against anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, incision wound and excision wound healing activities. The selected plant extracts showed increase in cell proliferation, faster contraction of wound, increase tensile strength and shortening the duration of healing period. The results were compared with the standard drug (Betadine) ointment. The selected plant extract ointment formulations showed dose dependent effect on wound healing between the two extracts, Piper Betel leaf (20%w/w) showed better activity than the Acalypha Indica. The polyherbal extract formulation showed very good activity and comparable with that of the standard (Betadine 5%) ointment.