Anti-inflammatory and Wound Healing Activities of Herbal Gel Containing an Antioxidant Tamarix aphylla Leaf Extract

Tamarix aphylla, a traditionally used plant in the Middle Eastern countries, was screened for its potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and wound healing effect. Antioxidant activity of T. aphylla ethanolic leaf extract was measured by 1, 1, diphenyl, 2 picryl, hydrazyl and hydrogen peroxide free radicals scavenging method. Herbal gel formulations containing 15 and 25% T. aphylla extract in gel base, namely Carbapol-934, were prepared. Further herbal gel formulations were evaluated for its anti-inflammatory activity by carrageen an induced paw edema model and wound healing activity by excision wound model in Wister rats. Percentage, reduction in paw edema and wound contraction was measured in these models. The extract showed maximum scavenging activity i.e., 80.81 +/- 0.29 and 67.76 +/- 0.09 at 400 mu g mL(-1) by 1, 1, diphenyl, 2 picryl, hydrazyl and hydrogen peroxide free radicals scavenging method, respectively. In carrageen an induced paw edema model and excision wound model, the formulation showed optimum percentage inhibition of 53.07 and 89.6% with 25% gel formulation which was comparable to the standard Diclomax (R) and Betadine (R), respectively. The Present study concludes that T. aphylla leaves extract, possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and wound healing activities.