Wound Healing: Contributions from Plant Secondary Metabolite Antioxidants

Plants by their genetic makeup possess an innate ability to synthesize a wide variety of phytochemicals that help them to perform their normal physiological functions and/or to protect themselves from microbial pathogens and animal herbivores. The synthesis of these phytochemicals presents the plants their natural tendency to respond to environmental stress conditions. These phytochemicals are classified either as primary or secondary metabolites. The secondary metabolites have been identified in plants as alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolics, anthraquinones, and triterpenes. These plant-based compounds are believed to have diverse medicinal properties including antioxidant properties. Plants have therefore been a potential source of antioxidants which have received a great deal of attention since increased oxidative stress has been identified as a major causative factor in the development and progression of several life-threatening diseases, including neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases and wound infection. Consequently, many medicinal plants have been cited and known to effect wound healing and antioxidant properties. This chapter briefly reviews antioxidant properties of medicinal plants to highlight the important roles medicinal plants play in wound healing

Anti-nociceptive and antioxidant activities of an aqueous leaf extract of Corchorus olitorius L. (Tiliaceae)

A preliminary study had shown that C. olitorius has analgesic activity possibly mediated through opioidergic pathway. The study was a follow up work to evaluate the anti-nociceptive effects and other possible mechanisms of action of an aqueous leaf extract of C. olitorius (COE) using formalin-induced nociception test. COE was screened for its analgesic, and antioxidant activities. The anti-nociceptive effect of COE (3x10-2, 1x10-1 and 3x10-1 g kg-1, p.o), and morphine (1x10-3, 3x10-3 and 1x10-2 gkg-1, i.p.) were evaluated using the formalin-induced nociception test. The study showed that C. olitorius has analgesic activity possibly mediated through opioidergic pathway. COE produced significant (P ˂ 0.05) dose-dependent antinociceptive effects similar to morphine in both phases of formalin-induced nociception. The extract showed free radical scavenging properties and different phyto-constituents such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, tannins, anthraquinones and terpenoids were identified. COE has both central and peripheral anti-nociceptive effects mediated through opioidergic receptor activation and also partly through ATP-sensitive K+ channel activation systems. The findings confirms earlier reports, and further shows that C. olitorius produces anti-nociception by interrupting many pain processing pathways. Results further suggest that the extract (COE) might possess some chemical constituents that are responsible for the analgesic and the antioxidant activities.Keywords: Naloxone, glibenclamide, morphine, nociception, DPPH, formalin test

STUDIES ON THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS, MICROBIAL LOAD AND STORAGE STABILITY OF OIL FROM INDIAN ALMOND NUT (TERMINALIA CATAPPA L.)

Oils constitute one of the essential components of balanced diet as good source of energy, as well as complementing the energy needs of the society in the form of biodiesel. The chemical and physical properties of oils are amongst the most important properties that determine the quality and help to describe the present condition of oils. The physicochemical characteristics, microbial load and storage stability of Indian almond (Terminalia catappa) seed oil collected in Cape Coast, Ghana were investigated and compared with that of frytol vegetable oil manufactured by a leading manufacturing industry in Ghana. The seed recorded a good yield of 52.11% oil. The mean physicochemical parameters of the almond nut oil were:- specific gravity (0.923), refractive index (1.465), moisture content (0.550%), insoluble impurities (0.133%), free fatty acid (0.38%), and peroxide, iodine, acid and saponification values were (4.073 meq/kg), (121.19 wijs), (0.78 mgKOH/g), (168.27 mgKOH/g) respectively. All the physicochemical parameters determined were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those determined for frytol. Storage stability of both oils under room temperature showed faster deterioration of oils when exposed to daylight than when stored in darkness. The mean free fatty acid values (oleic acid) obtained for both oils when exposed to light and darkness respectively throughout the period of study (2 months) were 0.585% and 0.490% for almond and 0.585% and 0.260% for frytol. Similarly, the mean peroxide values were 25.670 and 19.15meq/Kg for almond and 15.115 and 12.95meq/Kg. There were no detections for Salmonella in both oil samples. However, there were detections for fungi in both oils with mean counts of 1.4 x 103cfu/ml for almond and 1.3 x 103cfu/ml for frytol. The mean mesophilic counts for almond and frytol were 4.0 x 103cfu/ml and 4.8 x 103cfu/ml respectively. The physicochemical properties of the almond seed oil indicated that it is edible, drying and suggested its suitability for industrial purposes as well as the nutritional potentials of the nut, which could serve as an alternative food ingredient for unsaturated vegetable oil. Keywords: Physicochemical parameters, almond nut oil, frytol, shelf life, microbial loa

Taste masking of Metoclopramide Hydrochloride by Novel Melt Granulation

The purpose of this research was to mask the intensely bitter taste of metoclopramide HCl by complexation with glycerol monostearate. Drug- glycerol monostearate complex was prepared by melt granulation technique in the ratio of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3,1:4. The optimum drug: glycerol monostearate ratio required for complexation was determined. The drug: glycerol monostearate complex were evaluated for the drug content, in-vivo, in-vitro taste evaluation study. The complex was characterized by FTIR, differential scanning calorimetry. The taste evaluation depicted the successful taste masking of  metoclopramide HCl with drug: glycerol monostearate 1:4 ratio.

In-Vitro Assessment of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Methanol Extracts of Six Wound Healing Medicinal Plants

In this study, quantitative values of antioxidant activity of crude methanolic extracts of five Wound healing medicinal plants (Amaranthus spinosus, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Spondia monbin, Corchorus olitorius, and Mallotus oppositifolia) were investigated. The investigation used DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) free radical as a substrate and Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay to determine both scavenging ability and the reducing properties. Antioxidant was further analysed quantitatively for flavonoid content, total phenolic content in the crude methanolic extracts using spectrophotometric assay. The result showed that all plants exhibited scavenging ability and strong reducing activity although the ability differed markedly among the various plant samples. The highest scavenging ability (% inhibition) was exhibited by A. leiocarpus (95.86 ± 0.1) followed by C. olitorius (94.19 ± 0.06) while the lowest was from A. spinosus (40.87±2.5). The reducing power was also highest in A. leiocarpus followed by S. monbin; while A. spinosus showed the least reducing power. In quantitative analysis, again A. leiocarpus was found to have the highest phenolic content (1294.81± 3.0 mg/g) with A. spinosus recording the least phenol and flavonoid content. The crude methanol extracts were also screened for their antimicrobial activity against four common pathogenic microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Citrobacter sp.) associated with wound infection by well diffusion method. All the extracts were found to inhibit the growth of both gram (+) and gram (-) bacteria organisms tested. Keywords: Radical scavenging effect, phenolic compounds, antioxidant activit

Systematic review of Ethiopian medicinal plants used for their anti-inflammatory and wound healing activities

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Plant materials are used worldwide as complementary and alternative therapeutics for the treatment of various illnesses. In Ethiopia, folk medicines are utilized across a wide range of cultures and settings. Ethiopia has numerous plant species of which around 12% are endemic, making it a rich source of medicinal plants that are potentially important for human wellbeing. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to assess Ethiopian medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory or wound healing activities, in an attempt to compile the information required for further investigation of their potential role in the management of lymphoedema. Methods: A systematic review protocol was developed according to the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) statement. The protocol for this review was registered on PROSPERO with registration number CRD42019127471. This review considers all controlled in vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory and wound healing studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of Ethiopian medicinal plants. The search strategy included all articles containing descriptors such as Ethiopia, medicinal plants, herbal products, care, management, lymphoedema, lymphedema, swelling, podoconiosis, elephantiasis, wound, wound healing, inflammation, and anti-inflammatory that were published up to June 28, 2019. Outcomes were measured as the percentage of inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cell inhibition, as the percentage of carrageenan-induced oedema (anti-inflammation) inhibition, and the percentage of cell migration and proliferation (wound healing). For quality assessment of individual animal studies, the Risk of Bias tool for animal intervention studies (SYRCLE’s RoB tool) criteria was used. For quality assessment of individual in vitro studies, the OECD guidelines and the WHO Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) handbook were used. Results: A total of 46 articles on anti-inflammatory and 17 articles on wound healing properties were reviewed. For the in vivo studies, Swiss albino mice and Wistar rats were used, and the concentration of plant extracts or fractions administered to the lab animals varied considerably. Acetone extract of Vernonia amygdalina showed the fastest anti-inflammatory activity at lower concentrations in carrageenan-induced paw oedema. Conclusion: Lawsonia inermis, Azadirachta indica, Achyranthes aspera, and Cuminum cyminum are the most studied plant species in terms of anti-inflammatory activity, while Lawsonia inermis and Azadirachta indica are the most studied for wound healing. The most common in vivo techniques used for the anti-inflammatory and the wound healing assays were carrageenan-induced paw oedema, and excision and incision wound models, respectively

A Concise review on application of solid lipids and various techniques in the formulation development

Lipids have wide range of applications in food and pharmaceuticals. The pharmaceuticals application of lipid is to improve solubility of drug also helps to improve the bioavailability. The dissolution/dissolving phase, which is probably the rate-limiting component for oral absorption of poorly water-soluble drugs, is eliminated by pre-dissolving pharmaceuticals in lipids, surfactants, or combinations of lipid excipients and surfactants. The most widely used co-solvents, together with lipid excipients, are propylene glycol, glycerol, and polyethylene glycols-400, poloxamer etc. various technologies are used such as melt extrusion, melt granulation for preparation of lipid based oral modified released dosage forms.  This review summaries the overview of the lipid excipients in terms of their classification, methods of absorption, and lipid-based product development. The manufacture of solid and semi-solid lipid formulations using various methodologies, applications, phase behaviour, and the regulatory outlook of lipid excipients are covered. Keywords: Solid lipids, lipid classification, solidification techniques, modified released

Ethnobotanical study of wound healing plants in Kpando Traditional Area, ghana.

Background: An ethnobotanical survey was undertaken in the Kpando Traditional Area of Volta Region in Ghana to identify and record information on medicinal plants used for treating wounds. Methods: Traditional Medical Practitioners (TMP’s) and inhabitants both young and adults were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires and open-ended conversations. Field trips were made to the sites where TMP’s harvest plants. Results: The survey identified and recorded 27 plants species from 20 families, used for treating wounds in Kpando. The Euphorbiaceae (30.0 %) was the most represented plant family while herbs made up 57.0 % of the total medicinal plants used. Ten plant species namely; Adiatum veneris capillus L. (Rutaceae), Vernonia colorata (Willd.) Drake (asteraceae/compositae), Combretum dolichopetalum Engl. & Diels (Combretaceae), Coffee arabica (Rubiaceae), Milicia excelsia (Welw.) C. C. Berg. (Moraceae), Anogeissus leiocarpus (DC) Guill and Perr. (Combretaceae), Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae), Bridelia ferruginea Benth. (Euphorbiaceae), Amaranthus spinosus Linn. (Amaranthaceae) and Corchorus olitorius L. (Tiliaceae) have not previously been documented for the treatment of wound in Ghana. The leaf was the most commonly used plant part while grinding the fresh part of plant to form poultice was the most common method of traditional drug preparation. Almost all the medicinal plants (95%) are harvested from immediate surroundings. Knowledge of the use of plants as medicines does not only remain with the older generation but extends to the youth who show much interest. Majority still depends on the use of plants for wound healing as the first choice of medication. Conclusions: Different number of plants species are used for treating wound among the people of Kpando Traditional Area. Several traditional uses of these plants still need to be explored by both in vitro and in vivo bioassays leading to further investigations for the identification of their chemical compounds of therapeutic valu

Ethnobotanical study of wound healing plants in Kpando Traditional Area, ghana.

Background: An ethnobotanical survey was undertaken in the Kpando Traditional Area of Volta Region in Ghana to identify and record information on medicinal plants used for treating wounds. Methods: Traditional Medical Practitioners (TMP’s) and inhabitants both young and adults were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires and open-ended conversations. Field trips were made to the sites where TMP’s harvest plants. Results: The survey identified and recorded 27 plants species from 20 families, used for treating wounds in Kpando. The Euphorbiaceae (30.0 %) was the most represented plant family while herbs made up 57.0 % of the total medicinal plants used. Ten plant species namely; Adiatum veneris capillus L. (Rutaceae), Vernonia colorata (Willd.) Drake (asteraceae/compositae), Combretum dolichopetalum Engl. & Diels (Combretaceae), Coffee arabica (Rubiaceae), Milicia excelsia (Welw.) C. C. Berg. (Moraceae), Anogeissus leiocarpus (DC) Guill and Perr. (Combretaceae), Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae), Bridelia ferruginea Benth. (Euphorbiaceae), Amaranthus spinosus Linn. (Amaranthaceae) and Corchorus olitorius L. (Tiliaceae) have not previously been documented for the treatment of wound in Ghana. The leaf was the most commonly used plant part while grinding the fresh part of plant to form poultice was the most common method of traditional drug preparation. Almost all the medicinal plants (95%) are harvested from immediate surroundings. Knowledge of the use of plants as medicines does not only remain with the older generation but extends to the youth who show much interest. Majority still depends on the use of plants for wound healing as the first choice of medication. Conclusions: Different number of plants species are used for treating wound among the people of Kpando Traditional Area. Several traditional uses of these plants still need to be explored by both in vitro and in vivo bioassays leading to further investigations for the identification of their chemical compounds of therapeutic valu