Wound healing and antimicrobial activity of two classical formulations of Laghupanchamula in rats.

Background: Wounds affect a large number of patients and seriously reduce the quality of life. The wound as a medical problem was first discussed by Maharshi Agnivesha in Agnivesha Samhita (later known as Charaka Samhita) as Vrana. Laghupanchamula denotes a combination of the roots of five herbs. However, in Ayurvedic classics, besides four common herbs viz. Kantakari, Brihati, Shalaparni and Prinshniparni, the fifth one is either Gokshura (LPG) or Eranda (LPE), and both formulations have been documented to have wound healing (Vrana) activity. Objective: The present study was undertaken to determine the in vivo wound healing activity and in vitro antimicrobial activity of 50% ethanolic extract of Laghupanchamula containing Gokshura (LPGE) and Laghupanchamula containing Eranda (LPEE) in rats with acute toxicity in mice. Materials and Methods: LPGE and LPEE (1000 mg/kg) was administered orally, once daily for 10 days (incision wound model) or for 24 days (excision wound model) in rats. LPGE and LPEE was studied for its in vitro antimicrobial and in vivo wound breaking strength (WBS) (incision model) and rate of contraction, period of epithelization and histology of skin (excision model). Results: LPGE and LPEE showed antimicrobial activity against skin pathogens, enhanced WBS, rate of contraction, skin collagen tissue formation and early epithelization period with low scar area indicating enhanced healing with histological evidence of more collagen formation in skin tissues. LPGE and LPEE also showed anti‑bacterial activity and seemed to be safe. Conclusion: Use of both formulations in Laghupanchamula for their wound healing and anti‑microbial activities is thus authenticated.

Anti-infl ammatory activity of two classical formulations of Laghupanchamula in rats.

Background: Laghupanchamula denotes combinations of roots of fi ve herbs. However, in Ayurvedic classics besides four common herbs viz. Kantakari, Brihati, Shaliparni, and Prinshniparni, the fi fth one is either Gokshura (Laghupanchamula with Gokshura LPG) or Eranda (Laghupanchamula with Eranda LPE), and both formulations have been documented to have shothahara (anti-infl ammatory) action. Objectives: The present study was undertaken to compare the anti-infl ammatory activity of 50% ethanolic extract of LPG (LPGE) and LPE (LPEE) in rats and safety in mice. Materials and Methods: LPGE and LPEE were given orally, administered either just before or 60 min before experiment on mice and for 7 days to rats. Paw edema was induced by carrageenan (acute) and formalin (sub-acute), whereas granuloma pouch (sub-acute) was induced by turpentine in rats. Results: Both LPGE and LPEE (1.0 g/kg) at 3 h after their administration showed inhibition of formalin-induced paw edema by 46.2% and 44.3% (P 0.001) and carrageenan-induced paw edema by 53.9% and 60.4% (P0.001), respectively. After 7 days of treatment, both LPGE and LPEE showed 26.3% (P0.01) and 32.5% (P0.05) inhibition, respectively, against formalin-induced paw edema, and reduced weight of turpentine-induced granuloma pouch by 42.8% and 36.1% (P0.001), and volume of exudates by 31.2% and 36.2% (P0.001), respectively. No acute toxicity was observed in mice even with a 10.0-g/kg dose of both extracts. Conclusion: LPGE and LPEE signifi cantly reduced acute and sub-acute infl ammation, and showed effective and similar anti-infl ammatory activity. They seemed to be safe, and use of both formulations in the Laghupanchamula for their anti-infl ammatory activity is, thus, authenticated.

Evaluation of apple pomace based reconstituted feed in rats after solid state fermentation and ethanol recovery

Para utilizar bagaço de maçã de uma maneira econômica e eficaz, foi desenvolvido um processo por fermentação no estado sólido (SSF) que utiliza uma co-cultura interativa seqüencial de Cândida utilis e Kloechera. Remoção do etanol foi realizado através da secagem do bagaço de maçã. Os testes com o bagaço de maçã fermentado ou não foram feitos em ratos brancos em um experimento delineado. Os resultados mostraram que o bagaço de maçã fermentado ou não se mostraram aceitáveis sendo que os mesmos apresentaram uma digestibilidade inferior a ração comum. Quando o estudo alimentando os ratos utilizando 100% de bagaço de maçã fermentado e não fermentado e alterando a concentração progressivamente, observou-se a morte dos ratos aparentemente devido a uma redução da digestibilidade em razão da alta concentração em fibras. Em comparação com o grupo padrão, as taxas de crescimento foram negativas em todos os grupos estudados. A mistura da ração padrão com o bagaço de maçã fermentado na proporção 1:1, proporcionou maior aceitabilidade e digestibilidade. A mistura do bagaço de maçã fermentado com 10% de 'jagerry', 2% de óleo de 'groundnut', 0,01% de aromas e 1% de sal foi o mais aceitável. O exame pós-morte dos ratos que receberam a dieta durante sua alimentação apresentou edema generalizado, provavelmente devido a alguma hepatotoxina na alimentação. O nível de glicose no sangue do grupo alimentado com bagaço de maçã, exceto misturado com 'jagerry', mostrou uma hypoglicemia geral. A taxa de mortalidade, o exame pós-morte dos ratos que morreram durante o experimento e a análise bioquímica do sangue e do soro sugerem um estudo mais elaborativo e mais prolongado.