Chromolaena odorata layered-nitrile rubber polymer transdermal patch enhanced wound healing in vivo.

The objective is to investigate the healing efficacy of a Chromolaena odorata layered-nitrile rubber transdermal patch on excision wound healing in rats. Wounds were induced in Sprague-Dawley rats and were later treated as follows: wound A, the negative control, received no treatment (NC); wound B, the negative control with an empty nitrile rubber patch (NC-ERP); wound C, treated with a C. odorata layered-nitrile rubber patch (CO-NRP); and wound D, the positive control with Solcoseryl gel with a nitrile rubber patch (PC-SG-NRP). After 1, 3, 6, 10, and 14 days, the rats were sacrificed and analyzed for wound contraction, protein content, hexosamine, and uronic acid levels. Macroscopic observation showed enhanced wound healing in wounds treated with CO-NRP with a wound contraction percentage significantly higher (p<0.05) on days 6 and 10 compared to those treated with NC-ERP. Similarly, protein, hexosamine, and uronic acid contents were also significantly higher (p<0.05) in CO-NRP-treated wounds when compared with wounds treated with NC-ERP. Histological findings showed denser collagen deposition and faster granulation tissue formation in wounds treated with CO-NRP. From the results obtained, it is concluded that the C. odorata layered-nitrile rubber transdermal patch was effective in healing skin wounds.

Zingiber zerumbet L. (Smith) extract alleviates the ethanol-induced brain damage via its antioxidant activity.

BACKGROUND: Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith belongs to the Zingiberaceae family that is widely distributed throughout the tropics, particularly in Southeast Asia. It is locally known as 'Lempoyang' and traditionally used to treat fever, constipation and to relieve pain. It is also known to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Based on these antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of ethyl-acetate extract of Z. zerumbet rhizomes against ethanol-induced brain damage in male Wistar rats. METHOD: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups which consist of normal, 1.8 g/kg ethanol (40% v/v), 200 mg/kg Z. zerumbet extract plus ethanol and 400 mg/kg Z. zerumbet plus ethanol. The extract of Z. zerumbet was given once daily by oral gavage, 30 min prior to ethanol exposure via intraperitoneal route for 14 consecutive days. The rats were then sacrificed. Blood and brain homogenate were subjected to biochemical tests and part of the brain tissue was sectioned for histological analysis. RESULT: Treatment with ethyl-acetate Z. zerumbet extract at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg significantly reduced the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (p < 0.05) in the brain homogenate. Both doses of extracts also significantly increased the level of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities as well as glutathione (GSH) level (p < 0.05). However, administration of ethyl-acetate Z. zerumbet extract at 400 mg/kg showed better protective effects on the ethanol-induced brain damage as shown with higher levels of SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH in the brain homogenate as compared to 200 mg/kg dose. Histological observation of the cerebellum and cerebral cortex showed that the extract prevented the loss of Purkinje cells and retained the number and the shape of the cells. CONCLUSION: Ethyl-acetate extract of Z. zerumbet has protective effects against ethanol-induced brain damage and this is mediated through its antioxidant properties. Z. zerumbet extract protects against ethanol-induced brain damage via its antioxidant properties.

Herbal Formulation C168 Attenuates Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in HCT 116 Human Colorectal Carcinoma Cells: Role of Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage.

The use of herbal formulations has gained scientific interest, particularly in cancer treatment. In this study, the herbal formulation of interest, denoted as C168, is a mixture of eight genera of plants. This study aims to investigate the antiproliferative effect of C168 methanol extract (CME) on various cancer cells and its underlying mechanism of action on the most responsive cell line, namely, HCT 116 cells. CME exerted antiproliferative activities on HCT 116 colorectal carcinoma cells and HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells but not on CCD-841-CoN normal colon epithelial cells, Jurkat E6.1 lymphoblastic leukemic cells, and V79-4 Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts. Further investigation on HCT 116 cells showed that CME induced G2/M cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. Treatment of CME induced oxidative stress in HCT 116 cells by increasing the superoxide anion level and decreasing the intracellular glutathione. CME also increased tail moment value and H2AX phosphorylation in HCT 116 cells, suggesting DNA damage as an early signal of CME induced apoptosis. Loss of mitochondrial membrane potential in CME-treated cells also indicated the involvement of mitochondria in CME induced apoptosis. This study indicated the selectivity of CME toward colon cancer cells with the involvement of oxidative damage as its possible mechanism of action.

Alocasia denudata Engler treatment enhance open wound healing activities in Wistar rat's skin.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: A. denudata is traditionally used to treat various skin disorders, including wounds. It is widely used by the traditional healers as an effective wound treatment. AIM OF STUDY: This study was done to determine A. denudata treatment effects on open wound healing activities in Wistar rat's skin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 120 Wistar rats (250-300 g) were divided into four main groups, 1.5% and 3% A. denudata stem juice treated group, 10% Solcoseryl® gel treated group as positive control and phosphate buffer saline (PBS) treated group as negative control. Six full thicknesses wounds (6mm) were induced bilaterally on the dorsal of the rat's skin. Rats were sacrificed on day 1, 3, 6, 10 and 14. The percentage of wound contraction, biochemical estimations, macroscopic observation and histological examinations were done to evaluate the wound healing activities. RESULTS: Results showed wounds treated with A. denudata stem juice possess a significant higher rate of wound contraction (p<0.001), total protein concentration (p<0.05), hexosamine concentration (p<0.001) and uronic acid concentration (p<0.001). Moreover, cathepsin B (p<0.05) and hydroxyproline (p<0.05) level showed lower concentration in wounds treated with A. denudata stem juice. Histological observation of wounds treated with A. denudata stem juice displayed organized epithelial layer with dense and compact collagen fibers. CONCLUSION: Both doses of A. denudata stem juice were found to enhance wound healing process. However, wounds treated with 3% A. denudata stem juice were reported to be more effective as a wound healing agent thus support its traditional usage.

Photobiostimulation effect on diabetic wound at different power density of near infrared laser.

The photobiostimulation effects of near infrared 808 nm diode laser irradiance on diabetic wound were investigated. 120 rats were induced with diabetes by streptozotocin injection. Full thickness punch wounds of 6mm diameter were created on the dorsal part of the rats. All rats were randomly distributed into four groups; one group served as control group, whereas three groups were stimulated daily with unchanged energy density dose of 5 J/cm(2) with different power density, which were 0.1 W/cm(2), 0.2 W/cm(2) and 0.3 W/cm(2) with different exposure duration of 50s, 25s and 17s, respectively. Ten rats from each group were sacrificed on day 3, 6 and 9, respectively. Skin tissues were removed for histological purpose. The contraction of wound was found optimized after exposure with 0.1 W/cm(2). Based on the histological evidence, laser therapy has shown able to promote wound repair through enhanced epithelialization and collagen fiber synthesis. Generally, irradiated groups were advanced in terms of healing than non-irradiated group.

Nephroprotective effects of Zingiber zerumbet Smith ethyl acetate extract against paracetamol-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats.

Paracetamol (PCM) overdose can cause nephrotoxicity with oxidative stress as one of the possible mechanisms mediating the event. In this study, the effects of ethyl acetate extract of Zingiber zerumbet rhizome [200 mg per kg of body weight (mg/kg) and 400 mg/kg] on PCM-induced nephrotoxicity were examined. Rats were divided into five groups containing 10 rats each. The control group received distilled water while other groups were treated with extract alone (400 mg/kg), PCM alone (750 mg/kg), 750 mg/kg PCM+200 mg/kg extract (PCM+200-extract), and 750 mg/kg PCM+400 mg/kg extract (PCM+400-extract), respectively, for seven consecutive days. The Z. zerumbet extract was given intraperitoneally concurrent with oral administration of PCM. Treatment with Z. zerumbet extract at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg prevented the PCM-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative impairments of the kidney, as evidenced by a significantly reduced (P<0.05) level of plasma creatinine, plasma and renal malondialdehyde (MDA), plasma protein carbonyl, and renal advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP). Furthermore, both doses were also able to induce a significant increment (P<0.05) of plasma and renal levels of glutathione (GSH) and plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. The nephroprotective effects of Z. zerumbet extract were confirmed by a reduced intensity of renal cellular damage, as evidenced by histological findings. Moreover, Z. zerumbet extract administered at 400 mg/kg was found to show greater protective effects than that at 200 mg/kg. In conclusion, ethyl acetate extract of Z. zerumbet rhizome has a protective role against PCM-induced nephrotoxicity and the process is probably mediated through its antioxidant properties.