Abstract

HEMIGRAPHIS COLORATA (BLUME) AND GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA (LINN) HYDROGEL FOR WOUND HEALING AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY

Radhika P. V.* and Arun Kumar K. V.

ABSTRACT

Herbal medicines become an item of global importance both medicinal and economical. Recently considerable attention has been paid to utilize eco-friendly and bio-friendly plant based products for the prevention and cure of various human diseases. Traditionally large numbers of herbal formulations are used for treatment of wound and inflammation. The present study has been undertaken with the aim to formulate and evaluate the wound healing and anti-inflammatory effects of hydrogels prepared from ethanol extracts of Hemigraphis colorata Blume and Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn. The physico-chemical evaluations of selected plants within pharmacopeia limit and phytochemical screening showed intensive presence of constituents such as flavonoids and steroids may contribute wound healing and anti-inflammatory effects. The hydrogel was designed by using polymer carbopol 934, ethanolic extracts of Hemigraphis colorata and Glycyrrhiza glabra, propylene glycol, methyl and propyl paraben, disodium EDTA and required amount of distilled water. The required pH of the skin was attained by drop wise addition of Triethanolamine. The initial physicochemical parameters of formulations i.e. pH, spreadability, viscosity, swelling index and extrudability were also examined and it was inferred from the result that all three hydrogel formulations were good in appearance and homogeneity. The wound healing activity was determined by excision wound model and different formulations were topically applied on the wound surface. The effects were compared with standard Metro gel (2%w/w). The acute anti-inflammatory effects was evaluated by Carrageenan induced rat paw edema method and the hydrogel showed significant inhibition in edema which was comparable with that of standard Diclofenac gel(1%w/w).

Keywords: Herbal medicine, Hydrogel, Wound healing, Anti-inflammatory activity, Hemigraphis colorata, Glycyrrhiza glabra.