Healing agents

The active components of the herbaceaous perennial plant Hypericum perforatum are antiinflammatory, antidepressive and healing agents, therefore, their analysis is of considerable importance for health care. Samples were prepared by extracting the dried flowering tops by hot methanol. RP-HPLC separations were performed in an ODS column (250 X 4.6 mm i.d. particle size 5 pm) thermostated at 30°C. The steps of gradient elution are listed in Table 2.49. 

Possible biochemical functions (Quinn et al, 1992) of camosine include control of pH, immunostimulant, wound healing agent, antioxidant, metal-ion chelator, carbonyl scavenger, and antiglycator (Table 3.3). The evidence for some of these proposals is highly varied, however. 

Although the therapeutic philosophy for plant use varies, plants have demonstrated their efficiency as healing agents for thousands of years. We find them in the Indian Ayurvedic system in Chinese medicine, alongside acupuncture and other techniques they play an important role in the spiritual healing ecology of the Native North Americans and their constituents are also used to manufacture drugs in orthodox medicine. 

Chitin s properties as a tough and strong material make it favourable as surgical thread. Additionally, its biodegradibility means it wears away with time as the wound heals. Moreover, chitin has some unusual properties that accelerate healing of wounds in humans. Chitin has even been used as a stand-alone wound-healing agent. 

Figure 5.45. Schematic illustrating the mode of action of self-healing polymers through embedded healing-agent microcapsules that are activated by a propagating crack. Also shown is a polymeric microcapsule following rupture. Reproduced with permission from White, S. R. Sottos, N. R. Geubelle, R H. Moore, J. S. Kessler, M. R. Sriram, S. R. Brown, E. N. Viswanathan, S. Nature, 2001, 409, 794. Copyright 2001 Macmillan Magazines.

Antacids are generally used to relieve dyspeptic symptoms and they are taken intermittently when symptoms occur. Side effects and inconvenience limit their use as ulcer healing agents. 

Clymer, R. S., M.D. Nature s Healing Agents. Quakertown, PA The Humanitarian Society, 1973. 

Other folk uses of kava have included treatment of headaches, colds, rheumatism, sexually transmitted diseases, and inflammation of the uterus (Anonymous, 1996). It has also been used as a sedative, aphrodisiac, urinary antiseptic (Heiligenstein and Guenther, 1998), wound healing agent, and a treatment for asthma (Anonymous, 1996). Several substances extracted from the roots were also used briefly in Europe as diuretics (Norton and Ruze, 1994). 

Antibacterial and antifungal application as a wound healing agent. 

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