Mrunal K. Shirsat

  In traditional medicine Calotropis gigantean Linn is a well-known plant in the traditional medicine of Rajasthan. Asclepiadaceae is used in folk medicine for pain, burns, eczema, skin diseases (Ring worm), Anti-bacterial and anti-fungal and wound-healing activities. Based on its traditional use, this plant was selected for evaluation of its wound healing potential. Preliminary wound healing activity was performed on different extracts and based on the findings; Petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and distilled water extract was selected for further studies. The extract of Calotropis gigantean Linn promoted wound-healing activity significantly in all the three wound models studied. Topical application twice a day for 16 days significantly increased the wound contracting ability of the extract ointment (5% and 10%) and it was comparable to the reference standard nitrofurazone ointment in the excision wound model. The tensile strength in healing of incised wounds and dead space wound was found to be significantly higher in the group of animals treated with extract ointments (5% and 10%) and extracts (200mg/kg body weight) respectively. To investigate the effects of Calotropis gigantean Linn on wound healing activity in rats by excision, incision and dead space wound healing models in rats. Key words: Calotropis gigantean Linn, Excision wound model, Tensile strength Incised wounds, Dead space wound.

  There are several species of trypanosomes, which are single-celled organisms. Some affect primarily animals, but some are a significant cause of human illnes. Trypanosomes are transmitted by insect bites; Chagas disease is transmitted by bites of the reduviid bug. It is estimated that 16 to 18 million people are infected with T. cruzi and that 30 to 40 percent will develop heart symptoms as a result of their infection. In parts of the world where Chagas disease is endemic, most notably South America, the disease is the largest single cause of cardiovascular death. Chagas disease is very rare in the United States; only eight cases have been reported, and all of these in Latin American immigrants.Conditions resulting from Chagas disease also include atrioventricular block, which is a failure of the normal conduction of the electrical impulses which control the heartbeat. Eighteen of the 25 patients with Chagas disease were under treatment for heart disease prior to their proper diagnosis. In one case, a patient had been treated for 10 prior to the diagnosis.