Article

Plants used for tissue healing of animals

S Jaiswal* , SV Singh, Bhoopendra Singh and HN Singh
College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry
N. D. University of Agriculture and Technology
Kumarganj, Faizabad- 224 229
* Correspondent author, Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology,
C V Sc. & A. H., N.D.U.A.T., Kumarganj, Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh - 224229
This paper deals with 58 species
Abstract of plants used by local people of various
regions for tissue healing in animals. The
Tissue healing is an important process, which is the basis of various surgical
list also includes plants on which
manipulations. It can be enhanced by using several herbal drugs having antiseptic,
experimental studies have been done. The
anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and biostimulator property. There are certain plants,
plants have been arranged alphabetically
which are proved helpful in wound healing, fracture healing and healing of nervous
under botanical names in three major
tissue in animals.
groups like soft tissue and nervous tissue
Keywords: Herbs, Tissue healing, Soft and Hard tissue repair, Nervous tissue healing, healing and fracture healing plants. Local
Wound healing. Hindi names and mode of usage have also
IPC code; Int. cl.7 A61K 35/78, A61L 15/00 been given.

Introduction
Restoration of damaged tissue,
wound or fracture is an important process,
which plays vital role in survival of life. It
is imminent for the basis of all surgical
manipulations. Healing process is a
complicated biological process, which
follow a definite pattern of cellular and
molecular events. This includes cell
regeneration, proliferation, differentiation
and synthesis or secretion of different
substances. It tries to restore the tissue
continuity, either by regeneration or by
replacement.
It is well-known that the rate of
wound healing can be enhanced by
providing best possible environment i.e.
complete asepsis, removal of devitalized
tissue, apposition of wound edges and
regular dressing. In case of fracture,
healing can be enhanced by proper Plants used for soft tissue
reduction and immobilization. In addition repair
to these basic measures, using certain
herbs, which possess antiseptic, Adhatoda vasica Nees (Hindi
astringent, anti-inflammatory, Adusa or Adalsa, Vasaka)
antimicrobial and bio-stimulator property
can also enhance rate of healing. These It possesses an alkaloid
herbs increase the rate of tissue healing vascicine, vitamin-C and tannins in rich
by providing different essential substances, amount, which aid in wound healing and
required at various steps of regeneration exhibit anti-inflammatory. It enhances
and proliferation. These herbs being fibroplasias and collagen synthesis by
cheaper and safer than allopathic drugs enhancing the synthesis of hydroxyproline.
may be very useful in veterinary practice, It is used as an ointment of alcoholic
especially in India where these are found
in plenty. Presently, when the research on
Ayurvedic preparations has achieved new
heights, the role of these herbs and bio-
stimulators in tissue healing has been well
proved scientifically and they form the
basis of different herbal preparation that
have flooded the market. Adhatoda vasica

284 Natural Product Radiance Vol 3(4) July-August 2004

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extract of leaves in white petroleum jelly seeds and leaves also have antimicrobial
(Zama et al, 1991; Singh et al, 2001b). effect (Shukla et al, 2002) and contains
nimbidine, nimbin and nimbinine. It can
Annona squamosa Linn. be used as ointment (of leaves), oil (of
(Hindi Sitaphal or Sharifa) seeds) or powder (prepared from its
bark). Decoction of the leaves can be used
The leaves of the plant contain for washing of wound (Bhattarai, 1992;
high amount of tannins and vitamin-C and Singh et al, 2001b; Mondal & Chauhan,
possess anti-inflammatory, astringent and 2000).
insecticidal properties. It enhances level
of hydroxyproline, hexosamine, zinc, Curcuma amada Roxb. (Hindi
copper, collagen and elastin in wound, Ama haldi)
which helps in wound healing. It is used
as 5%(w/w) ointment of alcoholic extract Its root is used as carminative,
of dried leaves in white petroleum jelly. stomachic and cooling agent in veterinary
Powder of its seeds is used to treat maggoty practice. The root contains essential oils,
wounds (Pal, 1981; Singh, 1987; L -pinene, linalool, linalyl acetate, ocimine
Sudarsanam et and safrole and possess antimicrobial and
al, 1995; Singh anti-inflammatory property. It enhances
et al, 2001b; synthesis of collagen and elastin and
Mondal & potentiates fibrogenesis and angiogenesis
C h a u h a n , and thus results in early increase in tensile
Seeds 2000). strength of the wound. It is very useful in
sprain and contusions. It can be used as
5%(w/w) ointment of alcoholic extract of
dried roots in white petroleum jelly (Singh
et al, 2001b).
abscess and wound, respectively (Mondal
& Chauhan, 2000; Chettri et al, 1992;
Singh et al, 2001b).
Helianthus annus Linn.
Sunflower has antibacterial, anti-
inflammatory and healing effects. Ether
extract of seed powder can be used in
ointment form for better wound healing
(Tugnaiyat et al, 2000).
Hypericum hookerianum Wight &
Arn.
Aerial parts of this plant are used
for treating burns and wound by tribal
people of Shola forest of Tamil Nadu. Its
alcoholic extract having 400 g/ml, shows
antibacterial activity equivalent to 100 g/
ml of Tetracyclin. It protects the burns and
wounds from infection by enhancing the
healing process (Mukherjee et al, 2001).
Moringa oleifera Lam. syn. M.
pterygosperma Gaertn. (Hindi
Saijana)

Annona squamosa fruits
Azadirachta indica A. Juss.
(Hindi Neem)
Neem is an important medicinal
plant found in Indian subcontinent, its
leaves, bark and fruits are used for wound
healing. It has antiseptic, astringent,
insecticidal, larvicidal and a little anti-
inflammatory property (Rawat, 1995). Its
Curcuma domestica Valeton syn. The root bark of the plant contain
C. longa Linn. (Hindi Haldi) two alkaloids, viz. moringine, moringinine
and pterygospermin. It has anti-
It has potent anti-inflammatory inflammatory, antibacterial and counter-
and antibacterial properties (Tugnaiyat irritant action, which helps in wound
et al, 2000) and contains high amount of healing. Saijana is used as 5%(w/w)
vitamin-A and proteins, which helps in ointment of chloroform extract in white
fibroplastic proliferation and collagen petroleum jelly (Singh et al, 2001a).
synthesis, thus enhances fibrogenesis and
angiogenesis. It is very oftenly given along Olea europaea Linn. (Hindi
with milk in human and also applied Olive or Jaitoon)
locally for healing of wound and relieving
the pain and inflammation. Ointment It is also known as. Olive oil is
prepared from its root powder with ghee considered as biogenic stimulant and it
and white petroleum jelly is used to treat has anti-inflammatory property. It causes

Natural Product Radiance Vol 3(4) July-August 2004 285

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faster epithelization, wound contraction
and early suppression of inflammation and
thus helps in wound healing (Singh et al,
2001b).
Withania somnifera Dunal
(Hindi Ashwagandha)
Its roots contain various alkaloids
viz. cuseotrygrine, anahygrine, tropical
pseudofropine, anaferine and visamine. It
is used mainly as diuretic, tonic and
antirheumatic. It also reduces local
inflammation and thus helps in wound
healing. It has immunopotentiating effects,
thus avoids wound contamination.
Analgesic effect of Aswagandha has also
been reported (Sahni & Srivastava, 2001).
It is used as ointment of alcoholic extract
of dried roots in white petroleum jelly
(Singh et al, 2001b).
In addition to above plants some
more given in Table 1 are also used for
wound healing.
Plants used for nervous tissue
healing
Semecarpus anacardium Linn.f.
(Hindi Bhela or Marking Nut Tree)
It contains bhilawanol, which is
a mixture of phenolic compounds
including 1, 2 dihydroxy-3-(pentadecanyl-
8)-benzene and 1,2-dihydroxy-3-
(pentadecadienyl-8, 11)-benzene. Besides
these tetra-amento-flavone and tetra-
hydro-butaflavone were also isolated from
extracts of pulp of its nuts. It causes early
functional recovery and prevents the
proliferation of unwanted connective
tissue probably due to its analgesic and
anti-inflammatory action. It activates nerve
286 Natural Product Radiance Vol 3(4) July-August 2004
regeneration, prevents proliferation of fracture healing. Bamboo contains
epineurium and hastens the activity of benzoic acid, traces of cyanogenic
digestion of suture material (Pal, 1981; glycoside, and a silicious substance
Singh et al, 2001b). Tabasheer which is most important
content that helps in fracture healing.
Sida cordifolia Linn. Beside these it also contains calcium,
(Hindi Bala) phosphorus and zinc. Paste of stem or
leaves are used orally or topically for
It is a small downy erect shrub healing fracture. Aqueous extract of
with long branches and white flowers. Its crushed leaves is also used (Asgar, 1999).
root contains
aspergine, fatty Cissus quadrangularis Linn.
a c i d s , (Hindi Harzore, Harasankari)
phytosterol, -
phenethylamine, It is perennial plant with fleshy
ephidrines, - quadrangular stem, which grows in hotter
ephadrine, parts of Indian subcontinent. It contains
m e t h y l - calcium oxalate, carotene, vitamin C,
tryptophan, tetraterpenoids, sitosterols, and
Sida cordifolia
methyl-ester, amyrins and an anabolic ketosteroid
hypaphorine, quinizoline alkaloids, (Mandrkes root, 2001), which are
vasicinon, vasicine and vasicinol responsible for acceleration of fracture
(Mandrakes root, 2002). In addition, healing and possess anti-inflammatory and
large amount of choline and betain have analgesic activity (Prasad & Udupa, 1972;
been obtained from water soluble alkaloid Asgar, 1999; Sarvanan et al, 2002; Deka
fraction. It accelerates nerve regeneration, & Lahon, 1993; Sarvanan et al, 2002).
prevents the proliferation of epineurium Paste of crushed stem or
and hastens the activity of digestion of alcoholic extract of this plant when used
suture material. The plant is used in facial locally as well as intramuscularly,
paralysis, sciatica, uncontrolled facilitates rapid healing of fractured bone
micturition, cystitis, hematuria, in albino rats (Udupa & Prasad, 1964),
gonorrhoea, leucorrhoea and neurosis mice (Deka et al, 1994) and dogs
(Singh et al, 2001b). (Sarvanan et al, 2002).
Plants used in hard tissue/ Coelogyne cristata Lindl.
fracture repair
It is an orchid, contains calcium,
Bambusa arundinacea (Retz.) phosphorous, zinc, -sitosterol and a
Roxb. (Hindi Bans) glycoside. Its osteosynthesis stimulatory
property is mainly due to its astrigent and
Bamboo leaves possess haemostatic action and presence of
astringent activity, which causes early various trace minerals. Its dried stem
regression of inflammation that promotes powder is used orally (Singh, 1995a).

Coriandrum sativum Linn.
(Hindi Dhania)
It contains high amount of
calcium, phosphorous, oxalic acid,
vitamin-A, B, C, iron, protein and fat. It
has astringent and aphrodisiac action,
which might have activated the release of
sex hormones resulting into accelerated
healing process. It is used in healing of
chronic ulcers, bleeding piles,
rheumatism, swelling and neuralgia. It can
Article
be used as oral feeding of finely grinded In addition to above plants some
fresh leaves or powder of dried seeds more given in Table 2 are also used for
(Singh et al, 1998 a, b). fracture healing.
Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight
& Arn. (Hindi Arjuna)
Arjuna contains many triterpens
like arjunic acid, arjunantin, tannins,
calcium carbonates and sodium chloride.
Its bark has haemostatic property. Powder
of its bark is used orally (Singh, 1995a). Terminalia arjuna

Table 1 : Plants used for wound healing

Botanical/Common name of plant Mode of Usage/ Reference

Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. (Belur, Agrimony) Pounded whole plant is applied locally (Gaur et al,
1992).

Anaphalis triplinervis (Sims.) C. B. Clarke (Eku, Anans) Flower paste is applied locally (Bhattarai, 1992).

Artemisia laciniata Willd. (Khampa) Aerial parts powder applied locally (Singh, 1995b).

Betula alnoides Buch.-Ham. (Saur, Bhujpatra, Bark paste is applied locally (Gaur et al, 1992).
Indian Birch)

Boschniakia himalaica Hook.f. (Ganelu) Whole plant poultice applied (Gaur et al, 1992).

Calendula officinalis Linn. (Soldbargh, Zergul, Ointment of dried flowers is used locally (Shrivastava
Calendula, Marigold) et al, 2000, 2002).

Chenopodium album Linn. (Bhethu, Bathua, Pigweed) Crushed leaves are applied locally (Gaur et al, 1992).
Cirsium verutum (D. Don) Spreng.(Kandara) Root paste is applied on wounds (Gaur et al, 1992.

Eclipta prostrata Linn. syn. E. alba Linn.(Bhringraj, Pounded roots with oil of Kusum (Carthamus
Bhangra, Kesaranjan) tinctorius Linn.) are applied (Pal, 1981; Singh, 1987).
Leaf juice is squeezed locally for quick healing (Reddy &
Sudarsanam, 1987).

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Botanical/Common name of plant Mode of Usage/ Reference

Erythrina variegata Linn. (Badisa) Leaf juice is squeezed locally for quick healing (Reddy &
Sudarsanam, 1987).

Euphorbia pilosa Linn. (Chuplya) Latex of plant is applied locally (Gaur et al, 1992).

Grewia tenax (Forsk.) Aschers & Schwf (Gangu kanger) Ointment of whole plant extract applied locally
(Shrivastava et al, 2000, 2002).

Jatropha gossypifolia Linn. (Lal-gab-jara, Ratanjot) Piece of root is tied around the neck (Pal, 1981).

Lens culinaris Medic. (Masoor, Masuro, Lentil) Fried seeds are mixed with curd and given orally until
recovery in cases of mechanical injury in the anus
(Bhattarai, 1992).

Oroxylum indicum Vent. (Tatalo, Sonpatha) Seeds fried in rape oil (Brassica napus Linn.) made
into paste and applied locally on wounds and cracks
(Bhattarai, 1992).

Picrorrhiza scrophulariaeflora Pennell (Kutka, Kutuka) Root paste is applied locally on wounds
(Bhattarai, 1992).

Prunus amygdalus Batsch (Kagaji badam, Paste is made with equal amount of cows butter with half
Badam, Almond) the amount of salt and applied locally (Bhattarai, 1992)

Solena heterophylla Lour. (Chengor, Bankundri) Leaf juice is applied locally (Pal, 1981).

Syzygium cuminii (Linn.) Skeels (Jambu, Jamun) Stem bark and fruit is given orally (Sudarsanam
et al, 1995).

Tarenna asiatica (Linn.) Alston (Kommichittu) Leaf infusion is given orally in plough injuries
(Sudarsanam et al, 1995).

Trachyspermum ammi (Linn.) Sprague Seed paste is applied regularly (Bhattarai, 1992)
(Ajwain, Ammi or Bishops weed) 1

Tridax procumbens Linn. (Balapaku, Gaddi chamanthi) Fine leaf paste with a pinch of lime is applied locally
(Reddy & Sudarsanam, 1987).

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Table 2 : Plants used for fracture healing

Botanical/Common name of plant Mode of Usage/Reference

Buxus wallichiana Baill. Bark paste is applied locally (Gaur et al, 1992).
(Papari, Chikri, Box wood tree)

Calotropis gigantea (Linn.) R. Br. ex Ait. Roasted leaves are bandaged locally (Chettri et al, 1992).
(Aak, Ark, Gigantic swallow ward)

Caryopteris odorata (Ham.) B. L. Robinson (Karwi) Wood paste is applied as plaster (Gaur et al, 1992).

Curcuma domestica Valeton syn. C. longa Linn. Root powder paste with ghee applied locally (Mondal &
Chauhan, 2000).

Debregeasia salicifolia D. Don (Syanry, Tusyari) Bark paste and wood splints are applied locally
(Gaur et al, 1992).

Dodonaea viscosa Linn. (Bandaru, Alair) Leaf-paste with egg albumin and lime are applied to
aid in bone setting (Sudarsanan et al, 1995).

Girardinia heterophylla Decne Root and leaf plaster is applied locally (Gaur et al,
syn. G. diversifolia (Link) Fries (Kanalu; 1992).
Susna, Bichhu, Chikri, Himalayan nettle)

Grewia optiva Drummond (Biul, Bhimal) Bark paste is applied as plaster (Gaur et al, 1992).

Jatropha gossypifolia Linn. (Lal-gab-jara, Ratanjot) Root extract is given orally (Sebastian & Bhandari, 1984).

Lepisorus bicolor (Takeda) Ching (Dhule-uniu) Rhizome-paste plaster kept for 3-4 weeks (Bhattarai,
1992).

Moringa oleifera Lam. (Drumstick tree) Bark-paste is applied locally (Mondal & Chauhan, 2000).

Murraya paniculata (Linn.) Jack. (Kamini, Honey bush) Leaves pounded with egg albumin are applied as a plaster
(Sudarsanan et al, 1995).

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Botanical/Common name of plant Mode of Usage/Reference

Osyris wightiana Wall. ex Wight (Nundkhiki) Root paste is plastered for 2-3 weeks (Bhattarai, 1992).

Pinus roxburghii Sarg. (Chilla, Chir, Long leave pine) Resin is applied as plaster (Gaur et al, 1992).

Pinus wallichiana A.B. Jackson (Kali, Cheel, Blue pine) Bark paste is applied as plaster (Gaur et al, 1992).

Polygonatum officinale All. (Solomons seal) Root extract given orally. This extract contains allantion, a
substance wellknown for its healing and anti-
inflammatory effects (Gaur et al, 1992).

Prunus cerasoides D. Don (Paddam, Fresh bark paste is applied as plaster (Gaur et al, 1992).
Himalayan wild cherry)

Sida acuta Burm.f. (Bariyar, Country mallow) Leaf paste alongwith white egg yolk is applied
(Sudarasan et al, 1995).

Symphytum officinale Linn. (Comfrey, Healing herb) Direct application of root paste to aid the union of
fractured bone (Gaur et al, 1992).

Taxus wallichiana Zucc. (Thuno, Thaner, Common Yew) Bark paste is applied locally (Gaur et al, 1992).

Ulmus wallichiana Planch. (Chamber maya, Himalayan Elm) Bark paste is applied locally (Gaur et al, 1992).

Urgenia indica Kunth (Ban piyaj, Jangli piyaj, Bark paste is applied locally (Gaur et al, 1992).
Indian drug squill)

Bans, Harzore, Dhania and Arjuna arundinacea and Cissus

Conclusion
are helpful in fracture healing. There are quadrangularis-Uraria
some herbs, which are known for their picta-Lepidium sativum on
Different preparations of certain tissue healing properties, but they are still radius-ulna fracture in dogs, M.V.Sc.
herbs viz., Adalsa, Sitaphal, Neem, to be proved pharmacologically. thesis submitted to G.B. Pant
Amahaldi, Haldi, Sunflower, University of Agric. & Tech.,
Hypericum hookerianum, Saijana, Pantnagar, 1999.
Olive and Ashwagandha are proved for References
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Wound healing activity of Mesquite leaf juice in calves

The leaves of Mesquite Prosopis
juliflora DC. (Hindi Vilayati
kikkar) possess many medicinal
properties. A recent study revealed the
wound healing activity of a 10% ointment
made of the plant's leaf juice in calves.
Wounds of 2 cm 3 cm size were created
surgically on either side of the back and
were treated with 10% leaf juice ointment.
The healing process was compared with
that induced by simple ointment. The
ointments were applied daily for 10 days
and thereafter every second day until
complete healing. The evaluation of wound
healing was based on clinical, histological,
and biomechanical studies. Wound tissues
were collected at day 7, 14, and 28 after
the start of the application of formulated
ointment. In both groups, various clinical
indices such as inflammatory reaction,
granulation, and the contraction and
epithelisation of tissues at different time
intervals were almost similar. There were
no marked differences in localisation of
collagen fibres, elastin fibres,
mucopolysaccharide concentration, acid
and alkaline phosphatase activities, and
the tensile strength and extensibility of
healing tissue in both groups at different
stages of healing. The results indicate no
significant difference in the wound healing
effects of 10% ointment of leaf juice of this
plant and simple ointment (http://
www.vetwork.org.uk/pune20.htm#12).

Toxic fern Polystichum squarrosum D. Don

In Kumaon hills and elsewhere the fern Polystichum squarrosum D. Don is commonly found and consumed by
animals. Clinico-pathological studies on its subacute toxic effects in guinea pigs conducted by researchers at IVRI, Izatnagar have
revealed that like Bracken fern it is also toxic to animals and there is possibility of other toxins in this fern than ptaquiloside (Singh
et al, Indian Vet Med J, 2003, 27, 323-328).

292 Natural Product Radiance Vol 3(4) July-August 2004