Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

Introduction

The term 'Vrana' is derived from the verbal root 'Vran' meaning "splitting/tearing" of the body. It means anything that causing discontinuity of the skin and other tissue under it. The term Vrana was used by the Aacharyas because it occupies the skin or the area of the body and also the Vrana Vastu (scar/cicatrix formed later) does not get lost or disappear even after healing and remains till the body survives. Wound is defined as the disruption of anatomic and cellular continuity of tissue caused by chemical, physical, thermal, microbial or immunological injury to the tissue. Wound healing processes consists of integrated cellular and bio chemical cascades leading to reestablishment of structural and functional integrity of the damaged tissue.^[1]

Malahara Kalpana comes under Bahya Kalpana (external application). The word ‘Malahara’ was adapted by Yogaratnakara from the word Malaham^[2] or Marham which is originated from Unani system of medicine. The word Malahara means that it removes Mala from Vrana, Vidradi, Twakvikara etc. These are widely used ointments with many advantages. Base materials are required for preparation of Malahara & Sikta Taila is one among them which is commonly used. Base which is the chief ingredient of Malahara Kalpana should be smooth, soft, should not produce irritation & sensitization of skin. This is similar to ointments (unguentum) in modern pharmaceutics.^[3]

Raala Malahara is one among them which is mentioned in Rasatantra Saara Va Siddha Prayoga Sangraha^[4] and it is a herbo-mineral formulation consists of Tila Taila, Sarjarasa, Neela Tutta intended for external application in Vrana. Hence, this study is undertaken to evaluate its physico- chemical analysis and wound healing activity of Raala Malahara.^[5]

Sarjarasa^[6] - Vateria indica resin is used in treating infected wounds, diarrhoea, earache, intestinal worms, etc. the gum resin is used as a base to prepare sticks used for herbal smoking in Ayurveda. It belongs to Dipterocarpaceae^[7] family.

It occurs in rough irregular, solid brittle masses, breaking into angular pieces, 1.5cm thick, pale white or light yellow in colour, odour fragrant, taste bland and astringent.^[8,9]

Fig. 2: Tuttha

Fig. 3: Tila Taila

Fig. 4: Weighing Raala

Fig. 8: Adding Pounded Drug

Fig. 9: Mixing the Drugs

Fig. 10: Filtering the Mixture

Route of administration: External application

Wound Healing Activities

For excision wound model, animals are divided into three groups each consisting of ten animals as follows,

Group 1 - is a control group, no intervention was done

Group 2 - is a standard group, will be treated with Povidone iodine ointment

Group 3 - is a trail group, will be treated with Raala Malahara

Experimentation

The wound healing property of the trial drug Raala Malahara can be analyzed in albino rats by Excision wound model. The technique consists of the following stages,

1. Pre - operative stage

2. Operative stage

3. Post - operative stage

1. Pre- operative stage

The selected albino rats numbering 30 were divided into 3 groups of 10 rats each, one group each for Control, Standard, Trial 1.

2. Operative stage

a) Materials required

For experimental study the materials required are, Albino rats 30 in number, Ketamine, Albino rat cages, Scissors, Betadine, mosquito forceps, artery forceps, blunt forceps, surgical cotton, surgical gloves, scalpels.

b) Excision wound model

This was conducted according to the technique developed by Morton and Malone. The animals were anaesthetized using ketamine intra-peritoneal injection. After the animals were sufficiently anaesthetized, they were secured to the dissection plate in prone position. The hairs were removed from the part to be operated.

The area was cleaned with betadine. A round seal of 2.5 cm in diameter was impressed on the dorsal thoracic central region 5cm away from the areas of the anaesthetized rats.

Fig. 14: Application of Raala Malahara In Excisional Wound

The experimental results are:

Table 2: Excisional Wound Area - Control Group % inhibition

Table 3: Excisional Wound Area - Povidone Iodine % inhibition

Tabel 4: Excisional Wound Area - Raala Malahara % inhibition

Graph 5: Showing % of wound inhibition on day 16

Discussion

Discussion on Analytical Study

pH of Raala Malahara was 6.94 which is acidic in nature. This acidic nature possessed in Raala Malahara could be the reason for non-contamination of wound by the microbes, fungus or viruses. This doesn’t cause any harmful effect or reaction to the skin. Fatty matter of Raala Malahara 15.584% which is under the normal limit.

Rancidity test of Raala Malahara is negative, means that the product is stable in terms of its quality. Loss on drying of Raala Malahara was 61.427%, which indicates that the Malahara possess sufficient amount of moisture content in it. Thus, it will not make the wound dry by which itching can be controlled. Spreadability of the Sample Raala Malahara was found to be 42mm, which shows that the Malahara can be easily applied on the surface of the skin.

Discussion on Experimental Study

In this study it was found Raala Malahara showed marked reduction in wound area compared against control and standard group on day 4 and day 8. Even on day 12 and day 16 Raala Malahara shows better wound healing percentage as compared against control and standard group. However on day 12 and day 16 wound healing in all the groups was almost similar because of the natural wound healing process that take place in the animals.

Even then Raala Malahara was used for healing the wound is because to soothen the wounded area and to avoid itching, burning sensation, microbial contamination and faster healing of wound.