title: Effect of Neem oil and Haridra on non-healing wounds.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Ayurveda, Vrana (wound) has stated as tissue destruction and discoloration of viable tissue due to various etiology. In Sushruta Samhita, Sushruta described Vrana as a main subject. Most commonly Vrana can be classified into Shuddha and Dushta Vrana (chronic wound/nonhealing ulcers). Among the various drugs mentioned for Dushta Vrana, two of them, Neem (Azadirechta indica A. Juss) oil and Haridra (Curcuma longa Linn.) powder are selected for their wide spectrum action on wound.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effect of Neem oil and Haridra in the treatment of chronic non-healing wounds.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total 60 patients of wounds with more than 6 weeks duration were enrolled and alternatively allocated to Group I (topical application of Neem oil), Group II (Haridra powder capsules, 1 g 3 times orally) and Group III (both drugs). Duration of treatment was considered until complete healing of the wound, whereas 4(th) and 8(th) week were considered for assessment of 50% healing. Wound size was measured and recorded at weekly intervals. Wound biopsy was repeated after 4 weeks for assessment of angiogenesis and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 8 weeks of treatment, 50% wound healing was observed in 43.80% patients of Group I, 18.20% patients of Group II, and 70.00% patients of Group III. Microscopic angiogenesis grading system scores and DNA concentration showed highly significant effect of combined use of both drugs when compared before and after results of treatment (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topical use of Neem oil and oral use of Haridra powder capsule used in combination were found effective for chronic non-healing wounds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dravyaguna, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Anjali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Dravyaguna, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Anil Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Narayan
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Teja B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Vijay Kumar
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Shukla
keywords: Chronic wound; Haridra; Neem oil; microscopic angiogenesis grading system score; wound healing