Effects of resveratrol topical ointment on wound healing of full-thickness cutaneous burns in albino rats.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, the effects of resveratrol topical ointment on wound contraction and histopathology of full-thickness cutaneous burn wounds were evaluated. METHOD: Adult albino rats were grouped into four equal-sized groups of 15 rats each, as follows: Group A-no wound, no treatment (control); Group B-1% silver sulphadiazine; Group C-5% resveratrol, and Group D-wound without treatment (control). A burn wound measuring 23.5mm was created on the skin at the dorsum of all rats in groups B-D after shaving. The percentage of wound contraction was measured using a digital Vernier Caliper on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 16, 18 and 21, post-wounding. From each group, five rats were then euthanised and tissue samples of the skin, liver and kidney were collected in 10% buffered formalin for histopathology. RESULTS: The percentage of wound contraction was significant (p<0.05) on 7, 14 and 18 days post treatment. Histopathologically, 5% resveratrol topical ointment application resulted in a thicker epidermis with neovascularisation and an increased collagen distribution. Resveratrol topical ointment ameliorated the extent of hepatocellular and nephrotubular injuries following burn-induced hepatocellular and acute kidney injuries. CONCLUSION: In this study, topical application of 5% resveratrol ointment appeared to enhance burn wound healing by increasing the rate of wound contraction through collagen fibre synthesis, granulation tissue formation and epithelial regeneration.

Methanolic soluble fractions of lingzhi or reishi medicinal mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum (higher Basidiomycetes) extract inhibit neuraminidase activity in Newcastle disease virus (LaSota).

The antineuraminidase activity of different organic soluble fractions of Ganoderma lucidum extract was investigated using inhibition of hemagglutination and elution of chicken erythrocytes by Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Fractions of methanol, ethylacetate, and normal butanol (n-butanol) of the G. lucidum were tested against neuraminidase producing NDV as antigen. Different dilutions of the organic soluble fractions inhibited elution of 1% red blood cells by neuraminidase of NDV While the methanolic and n-butanol extracts inhibited neuraminidase activity even at a dilution of 1:16 and that of ethylacetate fraction inhibited even at 1:32 respectively. This finding indicates that G. lucidum has some antineuraminidase activity against NDV and may be exploited in the management of NDV infection.

The effect of the aqueous extract of Kohautia grandiflora on paracetamol-induced liver damage in albino rats.

This study was carried out to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of the aqueous extract of Kohautia grandiflora on paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in rats. A total of 20 albino rats of the Wister strain weighing 120-180 g were used for the study. The animals were divided into 4 groups of 5-rats each [I-IV]. Groups I, II and III served as the normal, paracetamol and plant extract controls and were administered with normal saline, 500 mg/kg of paracetamol and 300 mg/kg of the plant extract respectively for 7 days while rats in group IV served as the treatment group and were pre-treated with 300 mg/kg of the plant extract respectively for 7 days before 500 mg/kg of paracetamol was administered on the 8th day. At the end of the experimental period, blood was obtained from each rat for the determination of serum levels of aspartate transaminase [AST], alanine transaminase [ALT], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], albumin and bilirubin. Biochemical analysis of the serum obtained showed a significant increase [P<0.05] in the levels of AST, ALT, ALP and albumin in rats administered with 500 mg/kg of paracetamol and 300 mg/kg of the extract respectively. Pre-treatment of the animals with the extract caused a decrease in the levels of these enzymes. Histopathological assessments of the liver sections of rats administered with 500 mg/kg of paracetamol and 300 mg/kg of the extract showed congestion of the venous sinusoids, necrosis, edema, mononuclear infiltration and cloudy swellings with the severity higher in the paracetamol treated group. Pre-treatment with 300 mg/kg of the extract revealed a slight hepatoprotection compared with the rats that were administered with paracetamol alone. This study has shown that the aqueous extract of Kohautia grandiflora possesses slight hepatoprotective property.