Wound Healing and Antioxidant Activity of Achyranthes aspera

Achyranthes aspera Linn (Amaranthaceae), commonly known as apamarga, Is a commonly available plant in India. This plant has been used in the treatment of cuts by the people living in Tamil Nadu. The ethanol and aqueous extracts of leaves of Achyranthes,; aspera were prepared and its wound healing and antioxidant activity were evaluated. The wound healing activity was studied using two wound models, excision wound model and incision wound model. The free radical scavenging activity of the extracts was also assessed using two methods, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and superoxide scavenging activity. The extracts responded significantly in both the wound models tested. Also, the plant exhibited good antioxidant effect by preventing the formation of free radicals in the two models studied. Comparatively, the aqueous extract was found to be more effective. These findings could justify the inclusion of this plant in the management of cuts by the local people.