Wound Healing Potential of Polyherbal Dusting Powder for the Treatment of Bedsores

Abstract

A bed sore is also known as a pressure sore and is an open ulcer on the skin. Bedsores are mostly found on the skin that covers bony areas. The primary objective of this research project was to develop and test the polyherbal dusting powder containing an aqueous extract of Azhadirachta indica, Curcuma longa L., Aloe vera, and Tagetes erecta. The preliminary phytochemical investigation of aqueous extract was carried out. Selected herbs have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and wound-healing action needed for the treatment of bedsores. The powder was then tested for physical parameters like color, texture, smell, form, and pH), and micrometric parameters like size of particles, angle of repose, Hausner’s ratio, surface area, and other flow properties. The dosage form has been screened for antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. The formulation showed significant antimicrobial activity as compared to the standard povidone iodine drug. In the skin irritation and wound healing studies performed on albino wistar rats, significant effects were observed with 200 mg of powder. According to the in-vivo study, polyherbal dusting powder has been shown to be effective in the treatment of bedsores and can be further investigated.