Red Ivy Plant-Based Wound-Healing Pad

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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

Reference

The Hindu | The wound-healing property of red ivy plant