In vitro Wound Healing Effect of a Siddha Formulation: Gandhaga Thailam

Introduction: Wound is defined as disruption in the integrity of skin. Wound healing is a physiological process primarily initiated by vasoconstriction and platelet aggregation. Wound closure is completed by release of inflammatory markers and aggregation of fibroblasts which causes reepitheliazation. Gandhaga thailam (Medicated oil), a siddha formulation prepared from Gandhagam (sulphur), Vediuppu (Potassium nitrate), Manosilai (Arsenic disulphide), Navacharam (Ammonium Chloride), and Veeram (Mercuric per chloride) triturated with cow ghee is used in a variety of skin diseases. Scientific validation of the wound healing efficacy of Gandhaga thailam remains unveiled.

Aim: The main aim of this research is to validate the wound healing efficacy of Gandhaga thailam through in vitro studies in L929 (Mouse fibroblast) cell line.

Materials and Methods: L929 (Mouse fibroblast) cell line was cultured in a 25 cm 2 tissue culture flask with DMEM supplemented with 10% FBS, L-glutamine, sodium bicarbonate, and antibiotic solution containing: Penicillin (100 U/ml), Streptomycin (100 µg/ml), and Amphoteracin B (2.5 µg/ml). The scratch wounds were made by a sterile 1 mL pipette tip through a pre-marked line. The sample was checked for 0 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours’.

Results: The results of the study shows that Gandhaga thailam is efficient in wound healing and the wound is closed by about 48th hour after the scratch. The faster wound healing efficacy of Gandhaga thailam might be due to its potency to initiate Re- epithelialization.

Conclusion: Thus it is evidenced that Gandhaga thailam has a potential wound healing activity.