title: Influence of Terminalia chebula on dermal wound healing in rats.
abstract: The effects of topical administration of an alcohol extract of the leaves of an evergreen plant, Terminalia chebula, on the healing of rat dermal wounds, in vivo, was assessed. T. chebula treated wounds healed much faster as indicated by improved rates of contraction and a decreased period of epithelialization. Biochemical studies revealed a significant increase in total protein, DNA and collagen contents in the granulation tissues of treated wounds. The levels of hexosamine and uronic acid in these tissues, also increased upto day 8 post-wounding. Reduced lipid peroxide levels in treated wounds, as well as ESR measurement of antioxidant activity by DPPH radical quenching, suggested that T. chebula possessed antioxidant activities. The tensile strength of tissues from extract-treated incision wounds increased by about 40%. In addition, T. chebula possessed antimicrobial activity and was active largely against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella. These results strongly document the beneficial effects of T. chebula in the acceleration of the healing process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Central Leather Research Institute, Adyar, Chennai, India.
authors.forename: Lonchin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Suguna
authors.forename: Surjeet
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Pitchumani
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sivakumar
authors.forename: Padmavathi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sampath
authors.forename: Gowri
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chandrakasan
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D006595:Hexosamines / Q000378:metabolism; D007709:Klebsiella / Q000187:drug effects; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000293:injuries; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D029766:Terminalia; D014574:Uronic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D006595:Hexosamines; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014574:Uronic Acids; D003094:Collagen