By : Dr. Sushanta Meher, B.A.M.S.(Hons.) (U.U.)
Guide : Dr. B.B.Khuntia, M.D.(Ay.) (B.H.U.),PhD
(Presented at National Seminar, organized by Central Research Institute, BBSR, 2006)
(A brief view is posted here)
INTRODUCTION
Kshara Sutra, the healing thread for different Nadi Vranas described in Sushruta Samhita is nothing but a medicated thread, a thread coated with Kheera (Latex), Kshara (Alkali) and Haridra churna (powder of C.longa).
Among these three constituents turmeric seems to have importance in Kshara Sutra application & post-operative Wound management due to it’s specific pharmacological properties.
PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
AYURVEDIC VIEW
Rasa: Tikta-Katu
Gunas: Ruksha-Laghu
Vipaka: Katu
Virya:Usna
MODERN VIEW
Active ingredients are in a group of phenolic compounds, called curcuminoids which mainly include Curcumin, volatile oil (Zingeberine, Borneal) and other curcuminoids, but main is the Curcumin.
Curcumin is having chemical formula C21H20 O6 , named Diferuloyl methane or bis(4-hydroxy,3-methoxy phenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione. Volatile oil contains a ketone C13H20O & an aldehyde C9H11OH, identified as tolymethyl carbinol.
PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS
AYURVEDIC VIEW
- Reduction in dropsy-swelling-toxicity-itching.
- Drying up of unctuousness & moistness at wound site.
- Scarping & purifying.
- Opening & purifying channels.
- Purifying blood.
This all as a whole is by Katu & Tikta Rasa.
The Lekhana , Ropana is due to Laghu & Ruksha Guna.
Katu Vipaka has same action as that of Katu Rasa.
Alleviation of Vata & Kapha, thereby relieving pain& inflammation , is by Usna Virya. The Usna is due to Agni, which enkindles Agni at the level of Rasa Dhatu, check excessive fluid secretions to prevent inflammation & dropsy.
MODERN VIEW
The actions can be categorized to-
- Anti-inflammatory & Analgesic
- Antioxidant
- Antibacterial & Antifungal
- Wound healing Enhancer
(1) ANTI-INFLAMMATORY & ANALGESIC ACTION:
Turmeric is a potent inhibitor of inflammation-related enzymes like Cycloxygenase, Lipoxygenase, Phospholipase. Reducing these enzymes means less Arachidonic acid metabolism, hence less PG-2,thereby less inflammation & less pain.
(2) ANTI-OXIDANT ACTION
This is by two processes-
Prevention of formation of free radicals e.g.-inhibiting lipid peroxidation.
Intervention to neutralize the already formed free radicals by process of free radical scavenging.
(3) ANTIBACTERIAL & ANTIFUNGAL ACTION
It has action against the bacteria like S.albus, S.aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus coagulans etc. & also has antifungal action.
(4) WOUND HEALING ENHANCER
- It does reepithelization of epidermis & increases migration of various cells including myofibroblasts, fibroblasts & macrophages in wound bed.
- It has muscle regeneration/restoration capacity.
- Causes neovascularization at wound site, hence enhancing healing.
- Inhibit H2O2 –induced tissue damage, leading to healing.
- Modulates TGF-B1 (Transforming Growth Factor-B1 ),leading to healing.
DISCUSSION
All the pharmacological properties previously discussed are directly or indirectly associated with healing process, which are-
1. Inflammation delays wound healing, but it reduces inflammation.
2. Free radicals tissue damage decreases rate of healing, but has antioxidant action.
3. Infection causes delay, but has antibacterial, antifungal action.
4. Purifies important channels, causes neovascularization that helps in rapid healing.
5. Apart from this, it has special properties to enhance wound healing, hence can be called as an “Amazing Wound Healer”.
THANKS
