Enhanced cutaneous wound healing by Senecio serratuloides ( Asteraceae/Compositae ) in a pig model

Abstract

a b s t r a c tSenecio serratuloides (Asteraceae/Compositae) is a traditional herbal remedy used to treat skin wounds in South Africa. The plant contains hepatotoxic alkaloids and is responsible for the death of farm animals which have eaten the plant. Wound healing efficacy was determined by applying prepared plant material to deep partialthickness wounds on a pig model and healing was compared to controls over 16 days. Regrowth of the skin was monitored by measuring the increasing ratio of the epidermal thickness, relative to that of normal skin. The neo-epidermis of plant-treated wounds was significantly thicker on days 5 and 7 and was maximal on day 7, compared with day 9 for the controls. The pH of the treated wound surface was significantly lower than the controls on day 2. The presence of alkaloids was confirmed with Dragendorff's reagent on thin layer chromatography, but liver function enzymes were no different to that of the controls and no signs of liver toxicity were apparent on histology when the plant was applied topically to wounds. S serratuloides treatment accelerated the healing of deep partial thickness wounds and the epidermal thickness ratio was found to be a useful marker in monitoring the wound healing process. The significance of the lower wound surface pH remains to be fully determined.

Fractionation and bioassay-guided isolation of antihypertensive components of Senecio serratuloides

“…An example of a plant which is used in folk medicine for treating HTN in Eastern Cape, South Africa and thus maybe a source of antihypertensive agents is Senecio serratuloides that is used singly or in combination with other herbs (Personal communication, Mahlakata). Senecio serratuloides is also used singly or in combination with other plants to treat wounds such as cuts, internal and external sores (including those resulting from sexually transmitted infections), burns, swollen gums and chest pain (De Wet, Nciki, & van Vuuren, 2013;De Wet, Nzama, & Van Vuuren, 2012;Fawole et al, 2010;Gould, Penny, Patel, & Candy, 2015). A study in our laboratory reported the antihypertensive effect of the hydoethanolic extract of S. serratuloides (Tata et al, 2019).…”

“…A study in our laboratory reported the antihypertensive effect of the hydoethanolic extract of S. serratuloides (Tata et al, 2019). The plant has also been reported to have phenols, tannins, flavonoids, and gallotannins and to possess antiinflammatory, anticholinesterase, antioxidant, and wound healing properties (Fawole et al, 2010;Gould et al, 2015). This study was aimed at serially fractionating S. serratuloides using solvents of increasing polarities in order to simplify fractions and enhance isolation of bioactive compounds from the fractions since each solvent extracts different phytochemical groups.…”

Antihypertensive effects of the hydro-ethanol extract of Senecio serratuloides DC in rats

“…The cardio-protective effect of HESS may have been through inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress and hence preventing the elevation of RAS components in the heart. Indeed, this plant has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-antioxidant [13] and wound healing effects [14] .…”

“…Although S. serratuloides is widely used in the South African traditional medicine, it’s medicinal properties have not received much scientific attention. Extracts of this plant are reported to have antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and wound healing activities [13, 14]. Due to the efficacy of the plant extract in treating various diseases it is traditionally referred to as the ‘ two day cure ’ plant.…”

“…Even though S. serratuloides is popular in South African traditional medicine, only its antimicrobial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory/wound healing properties have been investigated [13, 14]. Its potential usefulness in the management of any of the chronic diseases of lifestyle has not been studied.…”