Natural-based biomaterial for skin wound healing (gelatin vs. collagen): expert review

Collagen (Col) and gelatin are most extensively used in various fields, particularly in pharmaceuticals and therapeutics. Numerous researchers have proven that they are highly biocompatible to human tissues, exhibit low antigenicity and are easy to degrade. Despite their different sources both Col and gelatin have almost the same effects when it comes to wound healing mechanisms. Considering this, the bioactivity and biological effects of both Col and gelatin have been, and are being, constantly investigated through in vitro and in vivo assays to obtain maximum outcomes in the future. With regard to their proven nutritional values as sources of protein, Col and gelatin products exert various possible biological activities on cells in the extracellular matrix (ECM). In addition, a vast number of novel Col and gelatin applications have been discovered. This review compared Col and gelatin in terms of their structures, sources of derivatives, physicochemical properties, results of in vitro and in vivo studies, their roles in wound healing and the current challenges in wound healing. Thus, this review provides the current insights and the latest discoveries on both Col and gelatin in their wound healing mechanisms

Antibacterial and antifungal properties of persicaria odorata leaf against pathogenic bacteria and fungi

Persicaria odorata is a common plant and well known locally as “daun kesum” that is usually used in culinary and have various medicinal properties. This study is conducted to investigate the antimicrobial activity and the chemical constituent of the most active extract. The leaves were extracted using n-hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and water to produce the respective extracts. All extracts were tested against eight bacterial strains which include gram positive and gram negative bacteria and one fungal strain by using disc diffusion method. In this research erythromycin 15 µg, vancomycin 30 µg and gentamicin 10 µg were used as antibacterial standard whereas miconazole 50 µg were used as antifungal. The antimicrobial activity of the active extract is evaluated quantitatively by using broth microdilution assay. Gas Chromatography-Mass (GCMS) Spectroscopy analysis was used to analyze the chemical constituent of the most active extract. n-Hexane extract was found to be the most active extract which was active against S. aureus (29.3±0.57), S. epidermidis (32.6±1.52), S. pneumonia (11.3±1.52) and S. pyogenes (15.6±1.15). However, the all extracts are inactive against fungi. The extract produced minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 100µg/ml against S. aureus and 50µg/ml each against S. epidermidis, S. pneumonia and S. pyogenes. GCMS analysis has identified Decanal, Caryophyllene, Dodecanal the major constituents of n-hexane extract. The results obtained in this study showed that P. odorata leaves have high potential to be used as natural antibacterial agent against bacterial infections