Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Environment & Ecology
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Researchers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden & Research Institute (JNTBGRI), Palode, Kerala have tapped into the wound-healing properties of the red ivy plant.
- The red ivy plant used to develop an innovative, multifunctional and multilayered wound-healing pad using nanomaterials like electro-spun.
- Developed by - A team of scientists at the Centre of Excellence in Phytochemical Nanotechnology of the JNTBGRI, Kerala
- Acteoside - The product is developed by identifying and isolating a new molecule, acteoside.
Acteoside is a natural compound found in many plants and its pharmacological activities and therapeutic potential is well-known.
- However, this is the first time acteoside has been linked to the red ivy plant.
- The acteoside derived from red ivy plant has high efficacy even at lower concentrations of 0.2%.
- Along with acteoside, various polymers and antibiotics are also used for manufacturing this wound healing pad.
- Features of the pad -
- It is made from biodegradable and non-toxic polymers and is incredibly thin.
- The nanofibre layer facilitates optimal gas exchange, allowing the wound to ”breathe.”
- It also incorporates a super absorbent sponge crafted from sodium alginate, along with an activated carbon layer.
- Aligning with ISO standards - The biomaterials used for the pad have been tested and found to be conforming to the ISO standards - Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices standard.
- No risk factor - Tests confirmed that the components of the pad, do not pose risks such as genotoxicity, hypersensitivity, skin irritation or inflammation.
- Availability - At present it is not available in India.
Quick facts
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Strobilanthes alternata
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- It is known as red ivy, red-flame ivy, or waffle plant and known locally as “murikooti pacha”.
- It is a prostrate plant with purple-colored leaves.
- It is identified of having wound-healing properties.
- Family - Acanthaceae, which is native to Java.
- Habitat - Native to the tropical regions of the world.
- Distribution - Grows in plenty across India, China, Indonesia, and Japan.
- The traditional practitioners have long been using it to treat cuts and wounds.
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Reference
The Hindu | The wound-healing property of red ivy plant
