Influence of Achyranthes aspera Linn on the healing of dermal wounds in diabetic rats Barua C.C.5,*, Begum S.A.5, Talukdar A.5, Pathak D.C.1,5, Sarma D.K.2,5, Bora R.S.3,5, Gupta A.4,5 5Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati-781 022 1department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati-781 022 2department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati-781 022 3department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati-781 022 4defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Science, Delhi-110054 *Corresponding author: e-mail: chanacin@satyam.net.in; chanacin@gmail.com
Abstract Achyranthes aspera Linn commonly known as Apang or Prickly chaff flower is used against piles, renal dropsy, pneumonia etc. The present study was aimed at investigating the healing efficacy of A. aspera leaf methanol extract on dermal excision-type wounds in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Eighteen rats were divided into three groups of six animals each. Group I was diabetic control, group II plant extract treated and group III standard drug (Himax) treated. Healing was faster in the extract treated wounds which was evidenced by improved rate of wound contraction, increased cellular proliferation and collagen synthesis at the wound site, increased total protein and hydroxyproline content in comparison to untreated control wounds. A. aspera methanol leaf extract possessed significant antioxidant activity, which might be responsible and favorable for faster wound healing, useful in the management of wound healing in diabetic rats. Significant increase in antioxidant enzymes (catalase, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, ascorbic acid) and total protein contents suggest that A. aspera methanol might have therapeutic benefits in wound healing. The histopathological examinations and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and 9) expression also confirmed the healing efficacy of A. aspera. From the present study, it can be concluded that A. aspera possesses significant healing potential in diabetic wounds. Top Keywords Achyranthes aspera Linn, Diabetes, Rat, Wound healing. Top |