Efficacy of application of Equisetum pyramidale Goldm. hydrogel for tissue restoration of induced skin lesions in Wistar rats

Medicinal plants, such as E. pyramidale, are alternatives against infections and assist in the healing process of wounds. We evaluated the effects of Hydrogel of E. pyramidale on the healing of cutaneous wounds in animal models by morphological, morphometric and histological analyses, and elucidated major components. The ethanolic extract of E. pyramidale shoots was submitted to phytochemical analysis. For cicatrizing activity assay, Wistar rats were used, and the groups evaluated were hydrogel containing ethanolic extract of E. pyramidale at 2% compared to control groups. The treatment periods were 3, 7 and 21 days, and macroscopic and microscopic analyses were performed. Data were submitted to Analysis of Variance (p <0.05). Phytochemistry and quantification evidenced that flavonoids are main constituents and that they were evidenced by thin layer chromatography (TLC), high efficiency (HPLC) and infrared (IR) methods. In TLC, using flavonoid patterns, we observed pinocembrin. The hydrogel containing ethanolic extract of E. pyramidale at 2% was effective in wound regression. E. pyramidale can be used for the treatment of second intention wounds, and the effective healing may be due to a high flavonoid content.

Leaf Flavonoid Patterns in the Species of Stemonoporus (Dipterocarpaceae) and Their Taxonomic Significance

During the chemotaxonomic study of 16 species of Stemonoporus, three flavonoid aglycones (flavonol quercetin, flavonol kaempferol and flavone apigenin) and glycosides (quercetin 3- glucoside, quercetin 3-rutinoside and apigenin 5-glucoside) were isolated while flavonol myricetin, flavone luteolin and proanthcyanidin were not detected in any of the species surveyed. The isolated flavonoids can be used as chemotaxonomic markers. The species of Stemonoporus can be regarded as advanced in flavonoid pattern because of the absence of myricetin and loss of proanthocyanidins. The data of the flavonoid patterns and the outcome of cluster analysis are taxonomically useful to resolve the controversies over the systematic arrangement of the species and suggest the need for a revision of classification of the genus Stemonoporus. Key words: Dipterocarpaceae; Flavonols; Chemotaxonomy; Cluster analysis. Journal of Natural History MuseumVol. 24, 2009Page: 146-155