ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND WOUND HEALING ACTIVITIES OF WEDELOLACTONE IN COMBINATION WITH BERBERINE IN ALBINO WISTAR RATS

In present research investigation, research project was started with the extraction, isolation and purification of berberine from Berberis aristata using phytochemical investigations and concentration of berberine (BBN) was also found to be 0.2% (HPLC, RT- 5.04 min). Further, wedelolactone (WLN) from Eclipta alba Linn was extracted, isolated, (IPTLC method) purified, and characterized and its concentration was found to be 2.2% (HPLC). Both WLN and BBN were found to possess strong antioxidant properties (free radicals scavenger). In pharmacological investigations, rats given WLN had better edoema inhibition at the 5-hour mark after receiving the usual medication. High dose concentration of BBN demonstrated good anti-inflammatory effects. The combined effect of WLN and BBN was more potent in anti-inflammatory assessment (edema-inhibition). Wound healing investigations of WLN and BBN using the excision wound procedure showed significant wound contraction occurred on days 15 and 21 as a result of the combination of WLN and BBN which encouraged efficient epithelialization. Better wound contraction / wound-healing (restoration of normal architecture) was induced by the combination of WLN and BBN. The histology of the animals treated with WLN and BBN showed fibrosis with inflammatory cells, mainly lymphocytes and fibroblasts, a high rate of wound contraction, a marked increase in regenerated tissue, and rapid epithelialization (a reduction in the time required for epithelialization).