Areca Catechu: Effect of Topical Ethanolic Extract on Burn Wound Healing in Albino Rats

Deepak Kumar Verma; Masuram Bharat; Deepak Nayak; Tara Shanbhag; Venkatesh Shanbhag; Ravindra Singh Rajput

Abstract

International Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Sciences,2012,1,3,74-78.

Published:Sept 2012

Type:Research Article

Authors:

Author(s) affiliations:

Deepak Kumar Verma¹,Masuram Bharat1, Deepak Nayak¹, Tara Shanbhag², Venkatesh Shanbhag³, Ravindra Singh Rajput⁴

¹Postgraduate, Department of Pharmacology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, India

²Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, India

³Assistant Professor, Department of General Surgery, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal University, India

⁴Assistant Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacology, Spartan Health Sciences University School of Medicine, Vieux Fort, St.Lucia, West Indies

Abstract:

Background: Areca nut (Areca catechu Linn.) is commonly used for skin ulcers in Indian traditional medicine. Areca nut oil is prepared and is applied topically for burn wound healing. However, scientific study has not been conducted so far. Hence, this study was aimed to evaluate burn wound healing activity of Areca catechu. Objective: To evaluate the burn wound healing property of Areca catechu kernel in normal as well as dexamethasone treated rats. Materials and Methods: Ethanolic extract of Areca catechu kernel was prepared and an ointment was made with 2% of this extract. Burn wound was induced by standard procedure. Rats with burn wound model received either vehicle, standard drug or test drug. Two other groups were injected with dexamethasone to delay the wound healing process. The dexamethasone treated groups received either vehicle or test drug topically. Wound contraction rate and period of epithelialization were measured. The collected data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: The wound contraction rate was significantly increased in Areca catechu treated group in all the days compared to control. Period of epithelialization was faster in the drug treated group than control group. The dexamethasone treated group showed a significant delay in wound healing process when compared to control. Test drug showed a significant reversal in wound contraction rate and epithelialization period in dexamethasone suppressed burn wound healing model. Conclusion: This study has shown the wound healing property of Areca catechu. Further study is required to know the compounds responsible for its wound healing property and to understand the mechanism of action.