FABAD J. Pharm. Sci.

, 39, 21-31, 2014

REVIEW ARTICLES

The Medicinal Value of Asteraceae Family Plants in

Terms of Wound Healing Activity

Ipek SUNTAR*o

The medicinal value of Asteraceae family plants in terms of Asteraceae familyasına ait bitkilerin yara iyileştirici etki
wound healing activity yönünden tıbbi değeri

SUMMARY ÖZET

Plants have been a great resource of medicinal products which are used Bitkiler çeşitli hastalıkların tedavisinde kullanılan tıbbi ürünlerin
for the treatment of several ailments. The reports of folk medicine play önemli bir kaynağını oluşturmaktadır. Halk tıbbı kayıtları, doğal
an initial and important role for the novel drug development from kaynaklardan yeni ilaçların geliştirilmesinde birincil ve önemli
natural sources. The ethnobotanical studies reveal the preparation bir rol oynamaktadır. Etnobotanik çalışmalar, kırsal kesimlerde
and usage information of the plants used among the people living yaşayan halk tarafından kullanılan bitkilerin hazırlanış ve
in rural areas. From these valuable data, the ethnopharmacological kullanılışlarına dair bilgileri ortaya koyar. Bu değerli bilgilerden,
studies are conducted to find a scientific verification for the usage of etnofarmakolojik çalışmalar yapılarak kullanılış amacının bilimsel
the plants and with further phytochemical analysis, the compounds olarak doğrulanması ve ileri fitokimyasal çalışmalarla etkiden
responsible from the activities are elucidated. Asteraceae family plants sorumlu bileşiklerin aydınlatılması sağlanır. Yapılan in vivo ve
have been found to possess diverse biological effects referring to in vivo in vitro çalışmalarda, Asteraceae familyası bitkilerinin çeşitli
and in vitro researches conducted. This review aims to investigate the biyolojik etkilere sahip olduğu belirlenmiştir. Bu derleme, Asteraceae
traditional usage, in vitro and in vivo assessments on the plants in familyasına ait bitkilerin geleneksel kullanımlarını, üzerlerinde
Asteraceae family regarding the wound healing effect. yapılan in vitro ve in vivo araştırmaları yara iyileştirici etki
bakımından değerlendirmeyi amaçlamaktadır.

Key Words: Asteraceae, Compositae, ethnobotany, plant, traditional Anahtar kelimeler: Asteraceae, Compositae, etnobotanik, bitki,
medicine, wound healing, geleneksel tıp, yara iyileştirici

Received: 07.11.2016
Revised: 05.12.2016
Accepted: 06.01.2017

* Gazi University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, 06330, Yenimahalle, Ankara/Turkey

o
Corresponding Author:
Phone: +90 (312) 202 31 76
Fax: +90 (312) 223 50 18
E-Mail: [email protected]

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Suntar

INTRODUCTION they include which provide the therapeutic effects.

There is no doubt that plants used in folk medicine The family Asteraceae is one of the largest plant
have been a great value for the drug development in families on which the wound healing activity studies
today’s conventional medical system. Relying on the have been focused. In the present study, the important
ethnobotanical information, the potential biological role of Asteraceae family plants was investigated in
activities of the plants have been investigated terms of their traditional records for wound healing
in accord with their traditional usage. These purposes (Table 1) as well as the preclinical studies
ethnopharmacological studies place in the heart of conducted to reveal their wound healing activities.
pharmacognosy and both the field researches and WOUND HEALING ACTIVITY STUDIES ON
experimental part constitute the whole approach. SOME ASTERACEAE FAMILY PLANTS
In traditional medicine all over the world, a As shown in Table 1, several Asteraceae family
wide range of plant preparations are employed as plants have been utilized as a remedy for wound
wound healing agents. By the scientific studies, the healing in many countries including India, Turkey,
activities of local plants used for wound healing Nigeria, Nepal, South Africa, Britain and Ireland.
have been investigated intensively in order to find Especially, Achillea, Ageatum, Arctium, Artemisia,
out scientific confirmation for the reported usage. Caesulia, Centaurea, Chromolaena, Cichorium,
Because of economic and social factors, especially Dendranthema, Eclipta, Gundelia, Helichrysum,
chronic wounds represent a major burden. Therefore, Saussurea, Scorzonera, Sonchus, Tagetes, Tanacetum,
the search for natural products as new wound healer Tridax and Vernonia were recorded to be used in
agents becomes a great target (Alerico et al., 2015). different ways for the heaing of wounds. Therefore,
Wound healing is a complex mechanism for bioactivity of the species belong to these genera have
the repairment of tissue integrity, and comprises been investigated to reveal possible wound healing
of four main phases of haemostasis, inflammation, potential.
proliferation and tissue remodelling. Any trauma Achillea L. sp.
penetrating into the dermis results in bleeding and The wound healing potential of Achillea
the blood vessels immediately contracts to reduce biebersteinii Afan. was assessed. To investigate the
the blood loss. Due to platelet aggregation, the activity, 1% ointments prepared from n-hexane,
clotting process starts to continue the coagulation chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of
cascade. A scab occurs by the formation of a fibrin the roots were applied on the incision and excision
mesh to temporarily close the wounded site and wounds created on the rats and mice, for 10 and
wound continues to produce the blood and serous 12 days, respectively. n-Hexane extract provided
fluid, in order to cleanse the wound surface from the remarkable increase (40.1%) in tensile strength and
contaminants (Flanagan, 2000). The healing period noticeable contraction (84.2%) in the wound area.
can be shortened by application of some medicinal Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-
agents having antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and MS) analysis revealed the presence of β-eudesmol,
antioxidant activities. Indeed, the role of antioxidants piperitone, camphor, borneol, α-terpinene,
is very important in cutaneous tissue repair, as 1,8-cineole as the major constituents of the n-hexane
oxidants are known to cause cell damage and inhibit extract, suggesting the possible synergistic effect of
the healing process. Therefore, in order to enhance the the compounds (Küpeli Akkol et al., 2011; Küpeli
wound healing process antioxidants were reported to Akkol & Süntar, 2013). In a previous study by Baris et
be helpful (Thang et al., 2001). al. (2006), the antimicrobial and antioxidant effects of
The medicinal plants contain various secondary the essential oil and the methanolic extract obtained
metabolites that provide several therapeutic effects. from A. biebersteinii were demonstrated (Baris et al.,
It has been proved in many studies that the wound 2006). The antimicrobial activity was seen for the oil
healing process can be improved with the application fractions containing 1,8-cineole, camphor, borneol
of natural products. Sometimes, the activity studies and piperitone (Sökmen et al., 2004). Moreover, a
focus on the particular plant families, genus or topical preparaion containing Hypericum perforatum
species. This is probably due to the ethnobotany L. oil and Achillea millefolium L. extract was reported
reports regarding the utilization of the plant species to improve wound healing process (Motogna, 1971).
for a specific therapy and the secondary metabolites

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FABAD J. Pharm. Sci., 39, 21-31, 2014

Table 1. Asteraceae family plants traditionally used for wound healing purposes

Species Parts used Use and administration Country Reference

Sezik et al., 1997 Sezik

Achillea biebersteinii Afan. H For wound healing; externally, pounded Turkey at al., 2001
For wound healing and burns; leaf juice is Nigeria Okunade, 2002
Ageratum conyzoides L. Le applied topically on cuts to stop bleeding India Sharma et al., 2014
Britain
Arctium minus Schkuhr Le, Rt, St For burns; applied externally Kenny et al., 2014
Ireland Europe
For wound healing; infusion used as a wash Grierson & Afolayan,
Artemisia afra Jacq. ex. Willd. Le South Africa
for wounds 1999
Leaves are boiled with water and the warm
Artemisia dubia L. ex B.D. Jacks. Le water is used to take bath to cure scabies and Nepal Shrestha et al., 2016
other skin diseases
Leaves are grinded and directly applied to cuts
Artemisia indica Willd. Le Nepal Shrestha et al., 2016
and wound
The paste of flowers is applied topically on
Caesulia axillaris Roxb. Fl India Sharma et al., 2014
cuts and wounds

Centaurea iberica Trev. Le For wound healing; externally, pounded Turkey Sezik et al., 1997

Centaurea lycopifolia Boiss. Et Kotschy H For cuts to stop bleeding; externally, pounded Turkey Yeşilada et al., 1995

Britain Ireland Western

Centaurea nigra L. Fl, Rt, Se For wound healing Kenny et al., 2014
Europe

Centaurea pterocaula Trautv. Le For wound healing; externally, pounded Turkey Sezik et al., 1997

Centaurea scabiosa L. Greater Rt, Se For wound healing Britain Ireland Europe Kenny et al., 2014

Chromolaena odorata (L.) R. King & Le For cuts and wounds India Bhat et al.,2012
H. Robinson
For cuts and wounds; cooked with the roots of Sezik et al., 1991
Anchusa sp., butter and pine resin; ashes are
Cichorium intybus L. Le, H Turkey Sezik at al., 2001
mixed with butter and externally applied on
wounds as an ointment

Dendranthema indicum (L.) Des Moul. Le For cuts India Bhat et al.,2012

The juice of whole plant is applied topically on

Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. Wh India Sharma et al., 2014
cuts and wounds
Gundelia tournefortii L. var. La For cuts; external use Turkey Sezik at al., 2001
tournefortii
For wound healing; fresh leaves applied to
Helichrysum appendiculatum (L.f.) Le circumcision wounds; tea from dried leaves
Less. applied to circumcision wounds
For wounds; leaves infusion used as a wash
Helichrysum aureonitens Sch.Bip. Le Grierson & Afolayan,
and lotion South Africa 1999
For infected sores; poultice from fresh leaves
Helichrysum foetidum (L.) Moench Le applied externally

Helichrysum pedunculare DC. Le Fresh leaves applied to circumcision wounds

For wound healing; externally, burned, ash Sezik et al., 1991

Helichrysum plicatum DC. ssp. is applied on wounds; decoction is mixed
Fl Turkey Fujita et al., 1995
plicatum with barley flour to obtain poultice; infusion Sezik at al., 2001
externally applied on wounds
Wooly cotton from the plant is soaked in
H
Saussurea gossypiphora D. Don water and applied on fractured parts and Nepal Shrestha et al., 2016
Wh wounds

Scorzonera tomentosa L. La For wound healing; externally Turkey Sezik et al., 1997

For wound healing; extracts are applied

Sonchus asper L. (Hill) Le, St Britain Ireland Europe Kenny et al., 2014
externally

Tagetes erecta L. Le For wounds with maggots in cattle India Bhat et al.,2012

Tanacetum balsamita L. Le For wound healing; externally, fresh Turkey Sezik et al., 1997

The paste of leaves is topically applied on cuts

Tridax procumbens (L.) L. Le India Sharma et al., 2014
and wounds to stop bleeding

Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd. Se For cuts and gangrene India Bhat et al.,2012

Fl: Flower; H: Herb; La: Latex; Le: Leaf; Rt: Root; Se: Seed; St: Stem; Wh: Whole plant
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Suntar

Ageratina Spach sp. of the plants used for healing of skin wounds in Rio
Ageratina pichinchensis (Kunth) R.M.King & Grande do Sulstate, Brazil. Ethnobotanical studies
H.Rob. has been used for the wound healing purposes from state of Rio Grande do Sul were analyzed and
in Mexican folk medicine. In previous studies, A. selected species were collected and ethanol and
pichinchensis aqueous extract was demonstrated to aqueous extracts were prepared for the activity
enhance wound healing by experimental methods testing. Among 117 plant species from 85 genera,
(Monroy & Castillo, 2000). Moreover, the extract 14 were selected to test the proliferative action
was shown to be active in the treatment of chronic by using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-
venous ulcers. The compound responsible from the diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay in a keratinocyte
wound healing effect was identified to be 7-O-(β- cell line (HaCaT). Water extracts of Achyrocline
D-glucopyranosyl)-galactin (Romero et al., 2013). satureioides DC Lam. and Matricaria recutita L., at
Therefore, Romero-Cerecero et al. (2014) aimed concentrations of 25 mg/mL and 50 mg/mL, showed
to investigate the wound healing and possible the capacity to stimulate keratinocyte growth up to
genotoxic effects of the standardized aqueous and 120%. The ethanol extract of A. satureioides was found
hexane-ethylacetate extracts of A. pichinchensis by to be the most promising species by stimulating the
using a diabetic foot ulcer rat model. A circular proliferation of keratinocyte and fibroblast at 1 mg/
lesion was created on the rear of the paw of the mL concentration (Alerico et al., 2015).
streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and the wound In a study which assessed the wound healing
area was topically treated daily until complete healing. activity of Matricaria chamomilla L. extracts, wound
5-methyl-1phenyl-2-(1H) Pyridone was used as a healing was completed in nine days, which was found
reference material. At the end of the experiment, to be a shorter period than those of other treatments
the skin samples were histopathologically examined. (Martins et al., 2009). It was also reported that
The possible genotoxic properties were examined in essential oil and methanol extract of M. chamomilla
a model of spermatozoid viability and morphology. were effective against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC
The results revealed that all of the animals treated 9244 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 (Owlia et
with A. pichinchensis extracts demonstrated wound al., 2007; Abdoul-Latif et al., 2011; Parsaeimehr et al.,
healing effect between days 4 and 11 of treatment. 2014).
Regenerative process was recorded for the extract Arnica L. sp.
treated group in the histopathological analysis.
A study assessed the wound healing effect of
Furthermore, no genotoxic effect was observed. In
microcurrent application alone or in combination
conclusion, both standardized aqueous and hexane-
with topical Arnica montana L. on the incision
ethyl acetate extracts prepared from the aerial parts of
wounds created on the dorsal parts of the rats. The
A. pichinchensis accelerated wound healing in diabetic
animals were randomly divided into the following
rats without inducing genotoxicity (Romero-Cerecero
groups; control group, microcurrent application alone
et al., 2014).
(10 mA/2 min); topical application of gel containing
Ageratum L. sp. A. montana; topical application of A. montana gel
Ageratum conyzoides L. has been applied onto and microcurrent (10 mA/2 min). For structural
fresh wounds, especially the leaves has been used as and morphometric analysis, the tissue samples were
a remedy for burns in central Africa (Watt & Breyer- removed on the 2nd, 6th and 10th days after wound
Brandwijk, 1962). Excision, incision and dead space induction. Significant wound healing activity was
wound models were performed to examine the observed in the microcurrent application alone or
efficacy of petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol combined with A. montana gel in terms of newly
and aqueous extracts of A. conyzoides. The methanol formed tissue, number of blood vessels and percentage
and aqueous extracts prepared from the leaves of of mature collagen fibers. It can be concluded that A.
A. conyzoides demonstrated proper wound healing montana administration combined with microcurrent
when compared to the other extracts. The chloroform application was found to be effective on healing of
extract was also found to have promising activity, wounds when compared to the control group (Castro
however, less than those of methanol and aqueous et al., 2012).
extracts (Oladejo et al., 2003). Calendula L. sp.
Achyrocline (Less.) DC. sp. and Matricaria L. sp. In a previous study, several formulations of
The aim of the study by Alerico et al. (2015), lamellar gel phase (LGP) emulsions containing
was to examine the in vitro wound healing activity Calendula officinalis L. oil were developed and

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FABAD J. Pharm. Sci., 39, 21-31, 2014

evaluated for a good amount of anisotropic structure the folk medicinal use of C. sadleriana (Csupor et al.,
and stability. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo wound 2010).
healing activity evaluation studies were conducted in Chromolaena DC. sp.
rats. 15.0% marigold oil; 10.0% of blend surfactants
Chromolaena odorata (L.) King & H.E. Robins
and 75.0% of purified water [w/w/w] LGP emulsion
(Devil Weed) is tropical, perennial, scrambling shrub
exerted good stability and high viscosity without any
and is distributed in North America and tropical parts
cytotoxic activity (50-1000 µg/mL). In the wound
of Asia. Traditional information reveals that extracts
healing model, the LGP (15 mg/mL) enhanced the
obtained form C. odorata were used to treat malarial
leukocyte migration to the wound on days 2 and 7,
fever, headache, toothache, burns, ischuria and skin
but decreased after 14 and 21 days. In addition, LGP
infections (Parsaeimehr et al., 2014). The leaf extract of
emulsion caused a reduction in collagen production
C. odorata was shown to be beneficial for the treatment
on days 2 and 7 and further accelerated the re-
of wounds. By using the MTT assay, antioxidant
epithelialization of process (Okuma et al., 2015).
activity of the ethanol and polyphenolic extracts of
In a previous study by Chandran and Kuttan (2008), C. odorata leaves was investigated on human dermal
it was reported that flower extracts prepared from C. fibroblasts and epidermal keratinocytes against
officinalis improved the wound healing process, as hydrogen peroxide and hypoxanthine-xanthine
evident by the notable increase in hexosamine and oxidase-induced damage. The ethanol extracts
collagen-hydroxyproline levels in treated samples (400 and 800 μg/ml) were found to have high and
(Chandran & Kuttan, 2008). The antioxidant defense consistent protective effect on the fibroblasts against
mechanism was found to be activated and lipid hydrogen peroxide and hypoxanthine-xanthine
peroxidation and tissue damage marker enzymes oxidase-induced damage. The antioxidant effects of
including alkaline phosphatase, alanine and aspartate the phenolic acids (protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic,
transaminases were measured to be lower in treated p-coumaric, ferulic and vanillic acids) and complex
samples when compared to the controls (Parsaeimehr mixtures of lipophilic flavonoid aglycones (flavanones,
et al., 2014). flavonols, flavones and chalcones) from C. odorata
Centaurea L. sp. were demonstrated on cultured skin cells by using
Centaurea L. species have been used to treat skin colorimetric and lactate dehydrogenase release
wounds in traditional medicine, in Turkey. Especially, assays, indicating the important role of C. odorata
the aerial parts of Centaurea iberica Trev. ex Spreng. in treating burns and wounds (Thang et al., 2001).
have been utilized for accelerated healing. Therefore, Indeed, eupolin, a product from C. odorata leaves
in a previous study by Koca et al. (2009) wound healing was reported to be licensed for the treatment of soft
properties of n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and tissue burns and wounds in Vietnam (Phan et al.,
aqueous methanol (85%) extracts obtained from the 1998; Raina et al., 2008). The wound healing effect was
aerial parts of C. iberica were investigated by in vivo attributed to saponins and tannins, essential oils and
linear incision and circular excision wound models phenolic compounds present in the plant (Omokhua
in rats and mice, respectively. 1% methanol extract et al., 2016).
showed significant wound healing effect by providing Another research showed that extracts of
42.2% increase in tensile strength and 81.09% C. odorata (at 10 μg/mL and 100 μg/mL doses)
contraction values. Moreover, 200 mg/kg methanol induced the fibroblasts and endothelial cells growth.
extract showed notable anti-inflammatory activity Anticoagulation effect and antimicrobial activity
(31.6%) (Koca et al., 2009; Küpeli Akkol & Süntar, against Bacillus thuringiensis, B. stearothermophilus
2013). NCTC 10339, S. aureus NCTC 6571, Escherichia
In Hungarian folk medicine, the aerial parts of coli (NCTC 11699), Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC
C. sadleriana Janka were reported to be used for 27853 and Klebsiella pneumoniae TISTR 1843, as well
wound healing in livestock. Therefore, wound healing as increase in tissue remodeling effect of C. odorata
potential of different solvent extracts of C. sadleriana extract were also demonstrated (Irobi, 1997; Lamond
was assessed. Experimental wounds were created & Farnell, 1998; Hanphakphoom et al., 2016).
on the rats by a branding iron and then the wounds Panda et al. (2010) studied the wound healing
were topically treated with the gel formulation of the activity of C. odorata by the excision wound model
extracts and fractions in 2.5% concentration twice a measuring the wound contraction and closure time.
day. The results of the study showed that n-hexane Petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts
fraction of the methanol extract was significantly in 5,7.5 and 10% concentrations were applied on
effective in the wound healing process, confirming rats by comparing the results with Neosporin and

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Suntar

Betadine ointments as reference materials. The times daily prior to, and 4 times post wounding.
methanol extract was found to be significantly active Echinacea improved wound healing in the stressed
(Panda et al., 2010). mice, but exhibited no significant activity in the non-
The aqueous and alcoholic (50, 70 and 95% etha- stressed mice. According to the results of plasma
nol) extracts of the leaves of C. odorata were investiga- glucocorticoid concentration measurements, the
ted for haemostatic activity. For the evaluation of the accelerated wound healing efficacy provided by E.
haemostatic activity, the bleeding time was measured pallida extract in stressed mice were not mediated
in male Wistar rats and in vitro platelet aggregation through glucocorticoid signaling modulation (Zhai et
and blood coagulation assays were conducted in she- al., 2009). By the accelerative effect on the fibroblast
ep plasma. All the extracts noticeably reduced the synthesis and collagen formation, Echinacea extracts
bleeding time (<2.5 min) but did not induce platelet were shown to have capacity to improve the healing
aggregation or blood clotting (> 0.6 min). 70% ethanol process in arsenic-induced dermal necrosis and
extract demonstrated the highest hemostatic activity minimize the effects of arsenic (Rezaie et al., 2013).
with the bleeding time of 1.85 min. The in vivo study Helichrysum Mill. sp.
confirmed the significant ability of the leaf extract of In the aim of confirming the traditional use of
C. odorata to stop bleeding (Pandith et al., 2012). Helichrysum graveolens (Bieb.) Sweet for wound-
In another study, wound healing effect of the healing, the activity was evaluated through bioassay-
ethanol and aqueous extracts of C. odorata was guided fractionation procedures by using in vivo
investigated. The shortest clotting and coagulation wound models and in vitro antioxidant and enzyme
times were recorded as 0.26 ± 0.012 min 15.18 ± inhibition assays. The methanolic (85%) flower
0.023 min, respectively for the aqueous extract group extract of H. graveolens exerted remarkable wound-
(Anyasor et al., 2011). healing, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.
Cichorium L. sp. Followingly, the methanol extract was fractionated
to give five solvent fractions, among which the
Different parts of Cichorium intybus L. were
ethyl acetate fraction displayed the best wound
reported to be utilized for wound healing purposes
healing activity. From the ethyl acetate fraction, a
in the ethnobotanical studies conducted in Turkey.
flavonoid type compound, apigenin, was isolated by
To assess the wound healing effect of the traditional
chromatographic methods and determined as one of
prescriptions obtained from C. intybus aerial parts
the active compounds in the ethyl acetate fraction by
and roots, in vivo linear incision and circular excision
in vivo and in vitro assays (Süntar et al., 2013).
wound models were performed by bioassay-guided
fractionation techniques. Wound healing effect of the Inula L. sp.
aerial parts, leaves and roots and also ashes of both Aqueous extract of Inula viscosa (L.) Aiton was
leaves and roots were examined. The methanol extract assessed for its potential wound healing activity. In
of the roots of the plant was subjected to the further the dorsal area of the mice, a full thickness wound was
biological activity assays including in vivo wound created. The wounds were treated during 2 days, for
healing, anti-inflammatory and in vitro antioxidant four times daily with the different preparations. The
and enzyme inhibitory tests as well as phytochemical area of the wounds were measured during 16 days. At
assays including chromatographic techniques. Among the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed
n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and histopathologically examined. Proper healing was
and remaining water extracts, dichloromethane observed in the I. viscosa extract-treated group (Khalil
subextract was found to possess significant wound et al., 2007).
healing activity. β-sitosterol was isolated and detected Scorzonera L. sp.
to be the compound responsible for the wound healing
Scorzonera L. is an important genus in Turkish
effect (Süntar et al., 2012).
folk medicine due to its therapeutic potential in a
Echinacea Moench sp. wide range of ailments including wound healing (4,
Echinacea species, famous for their 49). For the evaluation of wound healing activity
immunomodulator effect, was previously reported of some Scorzonera species (Scorzonera acuminata
to be used for the healing of wounds. In order to Boiss. & Balansa, Scorzonera cana (C.A.Mey.)
evaluate the claimed effect, Echinacea pallida (Nutt.) Hoffm. var. alpina (Boiss.) Chamberlain, Scorzonera
Nutt. alcohol extract was given orally to mice for cana (C.A.Mey.) Hoffm. var. jacquiniana (W.Koch)
3 days prior to, and 4 days post wounding with a Chamberlain, Scorzonera cana (C.A.Mey.) Hoffm.
dermal biopsy on the dorsal part of the animals. var. radicosa (Boiss.) Chamberlain, Scorzonera
Meanwhile, mice were exposed restraint stress three eriophora DC, Scorzonera laciniata ssp. laciniata
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FABAD J. Pharm. Sci., 39, 21-31, 2014

Davis, Scorzonera C. Koch subsp. suberosa C. Koch neo-epidermis on day 7 and lower pH on day 2 than
and Scorzonera sublanata Lipschitz) in vivo wound those of the control group. Alkaloids were detected in
models of incision and excision were performed. the plant extract by thin layer chromatography. The
Hydroalcoholic aerial part and root extracts were results of the study demonstrated that S. serratuloides
obtained to test the activity in 1% concentration. accelerated healing of deep partial thickness skin
The aerial part extracts of S. cana var. jacquiniana wounds (Gould et al., 2015).
and S. eriophora displayed 40.5% and 34.3% of Sphaeranthus L. sp.
increase in tensile strength values and exerted 46.27%
Sphaeranthus indicus L. is an essential medicinal
and 39.44% of contraction values, respectively.
plant practiced for the treatment of skin disorders
Furthermore, the aerial part extracts of S. cana var.
including scabies in folk medicine (Chopra et al., 1956;
jacquiniana and S. eriophora demonstrated significant
Kirtikar & Basu, 1999; Nadkarni, 2007). Aerial part
increase in the amount of tissue hydroxyproline,
extract of S. indicus considerably increased the wound
remarkable anti-inflammatory activity and in vitro
contraction rate and the epithelialization period when
anti-hyaluronidase effects. HPLC (High Performance
compared to neomycin in pigs (Sadaf et al., 2006).
Liquid Chromatography) analyses were employed
to reveal the compounds including chlorogenic Stevia Cav. sp.
acid, rutin, hyperoside and luteolin-7-glycoside in A previous in vivo study was conducted to
Scorzonera species (Süntar et al., 2012; Küpeli Akkol investigate the wound healing effect of the aqueous
& Süntar, 2013). extract of the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni)
Potential wound healing effectiveness of the aerial Bertoni. The extract was topically applied for 14
part and root extracts of some Scorzonera species inc- days at 150, 250 and 500 mg/kg doses in excision
luding Scorzonera cericea DC, Scorzonera incisa DC, wound model and orally administered for 10 days
Scorzonera latifolia (Fisch. et Mey.) DC., Scorzonera in incision wound model, respectively by comparing
mollis ssp. szowitsii (DC) Chamberlain, Scorzonera the effects with 5.0% povidone iodine ointment.
parviflora Jocq., Scorzonera tomentosa L. and the dri- S. rebaudiana aqueous extract at 500 mg/ kg dose
ed latex of S. latifolia were investigated by in vivo line- noticeably decreased the wound area (48.2 ± 2.0) and
ar incision and circular excision experimental wound epithelialization time (12.0 ± 0.10) in excision wound
models. The active components were identified by model and increased the tissue hydroxylproline
HPLC. The aerial part extracts of S. latifolia, S. mollis content (67.6 ± 0.10). Tensile strength of the treated
ssp. szowitsii and and S. tomentosa displayed 30.6%, wounds, weight of the wet and dry granulation tissue
25.4% and 23.2% of increase in tensile strength on and hydroxyproline content remarkably increased in
day 10, respectively on linear incision wound model. incision wound model, indicating accelerated wound
The contraction values were calculated as 61.44% for healing ability of S. rebaudiana aqueous extract (Das,
S. latifolia, 59.88% for S. mollis ssp. szowitsii, 37.62% 2013).
for S. tomentosa and 37.62% for dried latex of S. lati- Tridax L. sp.
folia treated group. Hydroxyproline levels were found The aqueous whole plant extract of Tridax
to be enhanced in the groups treated with the aerial procumbens L. showed lysyl oxidase activity, increased
part extracts of S. latifolia, S. mollis ssp. szowitsii and protein and nucleic acid contents as well as the tensile
S. tomentosa. The aerial part extract of S. latifolia (100 strength which are relevant to wound healing activity
mg/kg) inhibited the acetic acid-induced increase in in dead space wound healing model. Whole plant
capillary permeability. Chlorogenic acid was detected extract was found to have higher activity than those
as the major constituent of the roots and aerial parts of butanol and petroleum ether fractions (Udupa et
Scorzonera species. Moreover, hyperoside or rutin was al., 1995). Yaduvanshi et al. (2011) reported that, T.
one of the major components of the aerial parts. The procumbens extract at 1 mg/g concentration displayed
wound healing activity was attributed to the combi- a notable increase (38.81%) in collagen biosynthesis
ned effect of the constituents present in the extracts when compared to the vehicle group in excision
(Küpeli Akkol et al., 2012). wound model (Yaduvanshi et al., 2011). Talekar et
Senecio L. sp. al. (2012) reported that ethanol and water extracts
Wound healing activity of Senecio serratuloides DC of T. procumbens significantly increased the wound
was investigated on a deep partial thickness wound tensile strength and hydroxyproline, collagen and
model in pigs for 16 days. Epidermal thickness of the hexosamine content when compared to the control
skin was measured to observe the healing process. group (Talekar et al., 2012; Agyare et al., 2016).
Plant-treated wounds was found to have thicker

27
Suntar

Vernonia Schreb. sp. CONCLUSION

Wound healing activity of the ethanol extract Asteraceae is an important plant family for being a
obtained from the leaves of Vernonia scorpioides valuable and potential source for the natural products
(Lam.) Pers. was evaluated in guinea pigs. 200 mg of a possessing wound healing activity. This review,
hydrogel containing 50% of extract was administered including ethnobotanical researches and biological
once a day onto the excised wounds of the animals for activity studies, will be useful in providing an
30 days. The histopathological investigation revealed a ethnopharmacognostical approach for drug discovery
proper healing for V. scorpioides treated group evident and development.
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