In Search of Wound Healing Drugs: A Journey Through Ayurveda

Description of wound healing is a recent concern of modern surgery and medical therapeutics, but first evidences are available in ancient Indian system of medicine, namely Ayurveda in the name of Vrana (wounds) and Vranaropaka (wound healing drugs). It has been reported that in different classical Ayurvedic texts, about 164 medicinal plants, 24 metals and minerals and 18 animal products are described for their wound healing activity. The mechanism of the healing process and the selection of drugs from natural resources are very specific in Ayurveda, and some of these have been scientifically screened. Besides a single component of drug, many classical formulations either in the form of polyherbal or herbo-minerals have been cited in Ayurveda from time to time since pre-vedic era to recent modern time. Many traditional folkloric preparations of India were also later on incorporated in Ayurveda utilizing sources of some pockets of Ayurveda in different parts of the country. Chronological development of these drugs on the basis of physical, molecular and clinical parameters is elaborated vividly with some examples of experimentation like Curcuma longa, Pterocarpus santalinus, Cynodon dactylon and a composed formulation named Kshantak Malam

Antioxidant activity and total phenolics of some mangroves in Sundarbans

The antioxidant activity of 23 extracts from different plant parts (leaves, stem bark and root) of 6 mangroves and 4 mangrove associates was examined. The content of total phenolics in the extracts was calculated as gallic acid equivalent (GAE) and anti-radical activity was estimated as IC 50 values using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Remarkable high phenolic content (GAE > 25 mg/g), strong reducing ability (ascorbic acid equivalent, AAE > 3.5 mg/g) and anti-radical activity (IC 50 < 2.9 mg/ml) were found in 11 different extracts comprising of 6 mangrove and 4 mangrove associate species. The best results were obtained for Ceriops decandra stem bark extract (phenolic content as GAE = 94.4 mg/g, reducing power as AAE = 13.04 mg/g and DPPH radical scavenging ability as IC 50 = 0.65 mg/ml). A significant correlation was observed between GAE and AAE of respective extracts. The results indicate promising mangrove species for the utilization as significant source of natural antioxidant