Pilot study with regard to the wound healing activity of protein from calotropis procera (Ait.) R. Br.

Abstract

We provide the scientific basis for the use of Calotropis procera for treating skin and wound infections in traditional medicine. The aqueous extract of stem-bark of C. procera exhibited more pronounced potent antimicrobial activity. Calo-protein was purified and identified from the most-active aqueous extracts of C. procera and showed broad-spectrum activity. Calo-protein inhibited the growth of S. aureus and E. aerogenes effectively at 25 μg/ml concentration. Mice topically treated with Calo-protein revealed significant wound healing after 14 days comparable to fusidic acid (FA) as positive control. This protein was devoid of cytolytic effect even at higher concentrations on skin cells after 24 h. Further investigation of this Calo-protein of C. procera on bacterial inhibition may provide a better understanding of the scientific basis and justification for its use in traditional medicine. © 2012 Ramar Perumal Samy and Vincent T. K. Chow.