Wound healing activity of Withania coagulans in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
BACKGROUND
Withania coagulans Dunal. (Solanaceae) has been shown to possess hypoglycemic, free radical scavenging and wound healing activity. Therefore, it may be worthwhile to study the effect of Withania coagulans in diabetic wound healing.


OBJECTIVE
This study included determination of rate of wound contraction and estimation of various biochemical parameters such as collagen, hexosamine, total protein, total DNA, SOD and CAT levels in the granulation tissues.


METHODS
The hydroalcoholic fraction of the methanolic extract (standardized by withaferin-A using high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) )of Withania coagulans in the form of 10% w/w ointment topically and at a dose of 500 mg/kg per oral (p.o.) was administered to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The results obtained were compared with diabetic control and Aloe barbadensis Miller (syn. Aloe vera L.) (Liliaceae) was used as a reference drug.


RESULTS
The amount of withaferin-A present in the methanolic extract was 3.67 mg/g of the extract. The hydroalcoholic fraction in both the forms, i.e., topical (10% w/w ointment) and oral (500 mg/kg, p.o.) showed a significant increase in the rate of wound contraction (83.02% topical and 65.14% oral) topical and 93.18% oral) when compared to diabetic control (66 which was further justified with significant increase in the levels of collagen, protein, DNA, SOD, CAT, and decreased level of hexosamine.


CONCLUSIONS
The hydroalcoholic fraction of Withania coagulans in oral form is found to be more effective than the topical form. However, further studies are in progress to find the lead molecules responsible for the wound healing effect.
Prasad
S K
SK
Department of Pharmaceutics, Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
Kumar
R
R
Patel
D K
DK
Hemalatha
S
S
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000504:Aloe / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer / Q000379:methods; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D013311:Streptozocin; D032341:Withania / Q000737:chemistry*; D054358:Withanolides / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D010936:Plant Extracts; D054358:Withanolides; D013311:Streptozocin; C009684:withaferin A