Volume 7 Number 1 2023
Phytochemical, Antimicrobial, and Wound-Healing Evaluation of Alpinia nigra, Bacopa monnieri, Calotropis gigantea, and Cynodon dactylon In Vivo
Nazia Mahmud Badhon 1*
Journal of Angiotherapy 7 (1) 1-8 https://doi.org/10.25163/angiotherapy.7110367
Submitted: 05 October 2022 Revised: 08 January 2023 Published: 10 January 2023
Abstract
Background:
Bangladesh possesses a rich diversity of indigenous medicinal plants widely used in traditional healthcare. These plants are valuable sources of bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic benefits. This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition, antimicrobial activity, and wound-healing properties of methanolic extracts from Alpinia nigra, Bacopa monnieri, Calotropis gigantea, and Cynodon dactylon.
Methods:
Phytochemical screening was conducted to detect alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and glycosides. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using agar disc diffusion assays against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger. Wound-healing efficacy was evaluated in vivo using an excision wound model in Wistar rats, with parameters including wound contraction percentage and epithelialization time compared against a povidone-iodine standard.
Results:
All extracts contained multiple bioactive phytochemicals. Antimicrobial assays revealed concentration-dependent inhibition, with Alpinia nigra showing the strongest antibacterial activity and Calotropis gigantea demonstrating significant antifungal effects. In wound-healing studies, Alpinia nigra exhibited the highest wound contraction (92%) and shortest epithelialization time (14 days), comparable to the standard treatment. Cynodon dactylon and Calotropis gigantea also showed notable healing potential, while Bacopa monnieri displayed moderate but significant activity.
Conclusion:
The findings provide scientific validation of the traditional uses of these plants in infection control and wound management. The extracts demonstrate promising antimicrobial and wound-healing potential, highlighting their relevance as affordable, culturally accepted alternatives to synthetic drugs. Further studies involving compound isolation, mechanism elucidation, and clinical trials are warranted to establish their safety and therapeutic efficacy.
Keywords: Indigenous medicinal plants, Antimicrobial activity, Wound healing, Phytochemicals, Bangladesh
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