Experimental Study of Curcuma Longa Rhizomes and Azadirachta Indica Leaves Extracts on Wound Healing Activity

Most of skin diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms which include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococci, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Wounds are major responsible for physical disabilities. Wound disease spread by the invasion of bacteria inside the body through skin. Bacterial infections on skin are the common ailment for generation of other diseases in the body. Wound infections represent the invasion of tissues by number of species of microorganisms. These infections disturb the body immune system and cause inflammation, tissue damage and delayed wound healing process. Rhizomes of Curcuma longa (Turmeric) and leaves of Azadirachta indica (Neem) are used for various medicinal purposes. Curcuma longa possesses antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-hepatotoxic and anti-allergic properties. Ayurvedic texts described it to be good for skin ailments and also as a blood purifier, wound cleanser, healer, remover of body toxins, killer of abdominal worms and a wind-repellent agent etc. While Azadirachta indica is useful in tiredness, cough, fever, loss of appetite, worm infestation. It heals wound, heat-rash, boils, jaundice, leprosy, skin disorders, eye disorders, stomach ulcers, chicken pox, excessive thirst, diabetes and insect poisons. It act as anti-leprotic, antimalarial, anti-hemorrhoidal and anthelmintic agent. The present study was undertaken on evaluation of combinational effect of ethanolic extract of Curcuma longa rhizomes and Azadirachta indica leaves for wound healing activity through topical route on excision wound model. The activity was compared with standard drug Povidone Iodine ointment (5% w/w). Combinational effect of both rhizomes and leaves ethanolic extract was found to have better and faster wound healing effect than standard drug Povidone Iodine ointment on excision wound model.