Exploring the efficacy of panchavalkal extract and Zinc-Copper Bhasma in promoting wound healing in incision and excision wound models in the rat

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevanceModified Panchavalkal (MPVKL) and herbomineral Preparations as per the Ayurvedic texts possess various medicinal properties. Although some of its pharmacological benefits have been documented, scientific validation of combined wound-healing properties has not been done. AimTo investigate the effects of the herbomineral combinations of MPVKL extract on wound healing efficacy through the utilization of incision and excision rodent models. MethodsExcision and incision wound models in Albino Wistar rats were used to assess wound healing activity, with ten groups of six animals each. Along with normal control, diseased, vehicle control, and standard group, groups were treated with MPVKL extract (5% and 10%), MPVKL and Yashad bhasma (0.5%, 1%), and MPVKL and Tamra bhasma (0.1%, 0.075%) for 21 days and 14 days in excision and incision model respectively. The assessments were performed using the wound contraction, breaking and tensile strength, biochemical and antioxidant parameters, and histopathology of the granulation tissue. ResultsAll the test groups demonstrated significant wound contraction (p < 0.001). The highest decrease in epithelialization period (16.1 ± 0.98 days) was observed for the MPVKL (10%) and Yashad bhasma (0.5%) group. There was a significant improvement in the antioxidant activity of MPVKL (10%) and Yashad bhasma groups. The biochemical parameters viz hydroxyproline, collagen and hexosamine increased remarkably in MPVKL (5%) and Yashad bhasma (1%) as compared to disease control. Histopathological studies of test groups showed epithelialization, increased collagen deposition, and neovascularization in contrast to the control group. MPVKL and Yashad bhasma-containing groups increased the tensile and breaking strength of the wound in the incision model when compared to disease control. ConclusionIn both wound models, MPVKL extract and its herbomineral combination with Yashad Bhasma demonstrated significant wound healing activity when compared to the control group.