Effects of curcumin supplementation on abdominal surgical wound healing.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of curcumin supplementation on abdominal surgical wound healing in rats using clinical, histological, and hematological parameters. METHODS: Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: the curcumin group, and the control group. The curcumin group received, in addition to water and standard feed, curcumin via gavage at the dose of 200 mg/kg for seven days preceding and seven days following surgery. The control group received only water and standard feed. Both groups underwent median laparotomy and left colotomy. On the eighth postoperative day, the groups were euthanized, and the left colon was resected for histological analysis. RESULTS: In the preoperative evaluation, there was a significant decrease in the mean C-reactive protein levels in the curcumin group (0.06) compared to the control group (0.112) (p = 0.0001). In the postoperative wound healing assessment, a significant decrease was observed in inflammatory infiltrate (p = 0.0006) and blood vessel count (p = 0.0002) in the curcumin group compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Curcumin supplementation was able to significantly reduce inflammatory parameters in both pre-and post-operative phases of abdominal surgical wounds in rats.

Preliminary Evaluation of Wound Healing Potential of Leonurus japonicus Houtt. Extracts.

Leonurus japonicus Houtt. is a medicinal plant popular in Brazil as "rubim", used in local folk medicine for several applications as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and antimicrobial phytomedicine. The traditional use for wound healing is related; however, few studies have evaluated the wound healing activity. Thus, this study aimed to analyse the popular indication of the hydroalcoholic and aqueous extracts of L. japonicus aerial parts in a rat wound healing model. The initial chemical characterization was performed using flavonoid quantification and complemented with mass spectroscopy/chemometrics analysis. The wound's lesion contraction and tissue regeneration (histological study stained with hematoxylin-eosin and picrosirius) were determined. Hydroalcoholic and aqueous extracts presented high flavonoid content, and mass spectrometry analysis of the extracts demonstrated the presence of compounds with a mass between 100-650, reinforcing the presence of polyphenolic constituents. The extracts of L. japonicus improve various wound healing phases, like inflammatory modulation, wound contraction, and collagen synthesis, resulting in faster healing in rats. These effects could be related to the extracts' polyphenolic compounds.

Preclinical Trial of Ocotea puberula (Rich.) Nees ("Canela-Guaicá") in Wound Healing: Validation of a Traditional Medicine Practice Used by Indigenous Groups in Southern Brazil.

Background: "Canela-guaicá," "guaicá," or "canela-sebo" [Ocotea puberula (Rich.) Nees] is a native species that is traditionally used by Kaingang indigenous groups for wound healing in southern Brazil. The aim of this study was to extract the mucilage from O. puberula barks, perform its phytochemical and physicochemical characterization, and investigate its healing potential. Methods: A murine wound model was used as a preclinical trial for authentication of the traditional knowledge from Kaingang indigenous communities. Results: Alkaloids and polysaccharides were identified by usual qualitative reactions and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. This natural product showed thermal stability and pseudoplastic properties that were considered suitable for the intended use. A higher initial exacerbation of inflammatory response after 7 days, an improved angiogenesis after 14 days, and an increased wound shrinkage after 21 days were statistically significant for the "canela-guaicá" bark extract in the preclinical trial when compared to the silver calcium alginate dressing (positive control). Conclusion: The healing potential of the "canela-guaicá" bark extract, traditionally used by the Kaingang indigenous community from southern Brazil, was preclinically validated. This study paves the way for designing novel wound dressings containing this natural product in order to treat acute and chronic wounds.

Evaluation of wound healing effect of alginate film containing Aloe vera gel and cross-linked with zinc chloride.

PURPOSE: To develop a new wound dressing composed of alginate and Aloe vera gel and cross-linked with zinc ions. METHODS: The aloe-alginate film was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), swelling profile, mechanical properties, polysaccharide content and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Thirty Wistar rats were divided in two groups a) treated with aloe-alginate film and b) control (treated with sterile gauze). Wound contraction measurements and hystological analysis were performed on 7th, 14th and 21st days after wound surgery. RESULTS: The aloe-alginate film presented adequated mechanical resistance and malleability for application as wound dressing. There was no statistical difference in wound contraction between two groups. Histological assay demonstrated that aloe-alginate film presented anti-inflammatory activity, stimulated angiogenesis on proliferative phase and a more significant increased in collagen type I fibers and decreased type III fibers which promoted a mature scar formation when compared to control. CONCLUSIONS: The aloe-alginate film showed adequate physicochemical characteristics for wound dressing applications. The in vivo assay demonstrated that aloe-alginate film enhanced the healing process of incisional skin wounds.

Evaluation of wound healing effect of alginate film containing Aloe vera gel and cross-linked with zinc chloride

Abstract Purpose To develop a new wound dressing composed of alginate and Aloe vera gel and cross-linked with zinc ions. Methods The aloe-alginate film was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), swelling profile, mechanical properties, polysaccharide content and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Thirty Wistar rats were divided in two groups a) treated with aloe-alginate film and b) control (treated with sterile gauze). Wound contraction measurements and hystological analysis were performed on 7th, 14th and 21st days after wound surgery. Results The aloe-alginate film presented adequated mechanical resistance and malleability for application as wound dressing. There was no statistical difference in wound contraction between two groups. Histological assay demonstrated that aloe-alginate film presented anti-inflammatory activity, stimulated angiogenesis on proliferative phase and a more significant increased in collagen type I fibers and decreased type III fibers which promoted a mature scar formation when compared to control. Conclusions The aloe-alginate film showed adequate physicochemical characteristics for wound dressing applications. The in vivo assay demonstrated that aloe-alginate film enhanced the healing process of incisional skin wounds.

Evaluation of wound healing effect of alginate films containin g Aloe vera ( Aloe barbadensis Miller) gel.

A new alginate dressing with Aloe vera gel was developed and used to study its cutaneous healing effect in vivo by surgical wounds in Wistar rats. The aloe-alginate film was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, mechanical properties, scanning electron microscopy, hydration rate, and calcium release. The aloe-alginate film demonstrated desirable physical and mechanical characteristics for wound dressing application. The animals were divided in three groups (n = 20): gauze bandage, alginate film, and aloe-alginate film. The histological analysis on the 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 22nd days after the treatment showed that the aloe-alginate films modulated the inflammatory phase and decreased the quantity of macrophages when compared to the alginate film group and the control (gauze bandage). The evaluation of collagen fibers showed a decrease in type III and increase in type I fibers on group treated with aloe-alginate film suggesting an improvement in the progression of the healing process.

Several aspects of Zingiber zerumbet: a review

Abstract Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Roscoe ex Sm., Zingiberaceae, is a perennial, aromatic and tuberose plant that grows in humid locations. Also known as bitter ginger, Z. zerumbet is traditionally found throughout Asia, where it is widely used in foods, beverages and for ornamental purposes. The viscous juice present in the inflorescence of the plant is rich in surfactants and is also known as "ginger shampoo". The rhizome can be macerated in ethanol and used as a tonic and a stimulant. In Brazil Z. zerumbet is found in the Amazon region, in Taruma-mirim and Puraquequara (rural areas of Manaus, Amazon, Brazil). The main chemical compounds found in Z. zerumbet are terpenes and polyphenols. Zerumbone, a sesquiterpene, is the principal bioactive compound of Z. zerumbet and it is widely studied for its medicinal properties. The extracts and isolated metabolites of Z. zerumbet have exhibited the following properties: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, antimicrobial, analgesic and antiviral. The National Institute of Amazon Research in Brazil is currently conducting studies using extracts from this plant to obtain compounds active in tumor models. The aim of this review is to provide a overview about the main aspects related with pharmacognosy and pharmacology of Z. zerumbet published in the literature over the last decade.