title: In vivo wound-healing efficacy and antioxidant activity of Achyranthes aspera in experimental burns.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The floral richness of the North-East Indian region cannot be neglected in context to its medicinal importance. Achyranthes aspera Linn. (Amaranthaceae; Prickly Chaff flower) is an indigenous plant species of this region. Although the local traditional healers have ethnomedical knowledge on the use of this plant, there is no scientific study on wound-healing activity of this plant.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The healing efficacy of methanol leaf extract of A. aspera (MEAA) in granulation tissue of burn wound and its antioxidant activity are investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Methanol extract of leaves of A. aspera was used for compounding 5% (w/w) ointment, which was applied topically twice daily in experimental burn wound in rats. Healing potential was assessed by rate of wound contraction, antioxidant and biochemical assay which was supported by gelatin zymography and histopathology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the present study, 5% ointment of A. aspera showed significant (p < 0.05) wound healing, which was evident by wound contraction, elevation of various antioxidant enzymes viz. SOD, catalase, vitamin C and prohealing and biochemical parameters like hydroxyproline and protein content than the control animals. Up-regulated expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and 9) was also observed by gelatin zymography. Histopathological examination of the granulation tissues in the A. aspera-treated animals showed collagen deposition, fibroblast proliferation and formation of epidermis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The methanol leaf extract of A. aspera showed excellent wound-healing activities which has great potential for development of plant-based product.
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Science, Khanapara, Guwahati, India.
authors.forename: Chandana Choudhury
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Barua
authors.forename: Archana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Talukdar
authors.forename: Shameem Ara
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Begum
authors.forename: Debesh Chandra
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Pathak
authors.forename: Dilip Kumar
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Sarma
authors.forename: Rumi Saikia
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Borah
authors.forename: Asheesh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gupta
mesh_terms: D029044:Achyranthes; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002056:Burns / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018515:Plant Leaves; D051381:Rats; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts