THERAPEUTIC EVALUATION OF CENTELLA ASIATICA MACERATE ON SURGICAL COMPLICATIONS OF OVARIOHYSTERECTOMY IN THE BITCH
Lanan Wassy SOROMOU1 , Gobou Lolahara2 , Cécé KPOULOMOU2
1Department of Applied Biology, University of Labé, 210 Labé, Republic of Guinea.
2Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Science and Veterinary Medicine, 09 Dalaba, Republic of Guinea.
Background and objectives: The management of post-operative complications such as severe inflammatory reactions, suture dehiscence and abdominal hernia in farm animals calls for a variety of practices, including the use of plant resources. The aim of this study is to explore practices for managing surgical complications in bitches and the healing properties of Centella asiatica.
Methods: Discussions were organised with bitch owners about the practice of ovariohysterectomy and its importance for the well-being of the animals. The harvested plant was then prepared and the resulting crushed material was macerated, followed by the addition of drinking water. The subjects were divided into two batches of 6 animals: the control batch (batch 1) and the extract batch (batch 2). Before applying the macerate, the wounds were cleaned with distilled water and then an absorbent paper towel was used to dry them.
Results : Application of C. asiatica macerate to post-operative wounds in female dogs showed good clinical applicability, with anti-inflammatory and wound-healing accelerating activity. The therapeutic potential of the plant is thought to be attributable to its most important bioactive components.
Conclusion : The study argues that C. asiatica could be a better alternative for surgical wound closure, helping breeders to minimize intervention costs.
Keywords: Bitches, Centella asiatica, healing properties, Ovariohysterectomy, postoperative complications.
INTRODUCTION
Centella asiatica Linn Urban is a traditional Chinese medicine, a common edible plant that has been used in traditional medicine in Asia for thousands of years1. It is a medicinal plant belonging to the Apiaceae family and major ingredient in nutraceutical products in Southeast Asian countries. The plant is known to be rich in the flavonoid quercetin, and topical application or oral administration of isolates has not caused any significant problems2-5. As far as its therapeutic properties are concerned, this plant is recognised for its many effects, including its ability to promote healing, relieve inflammation, reduce pain and provide antioxidants, in addition to enhancing and preventing memory problems in patients6. C. asiatica is considered to be one of the oldest herbal remedies used to treat and heal wounds. Its use, either alone or in combination with other medicinal plants, has produced very significant results in the healing of wounds in many patients. It is naturally distributed in Guinea, in humid, aerated environments.
The major constraints of livestock farming require their owners to carry out surgical procedures. Ovariectomy has become a standard surgical procedure, performed almost routinely in all veterinary practices. It is considered to be a well-controlled procedure. Despite this fact, complications can occur: strong inflammatory reactions, suture dehiscence, abdominal hernia. These complications may be related to the animal's behavior towards its injury, but they may also be the result of surgical mistakes or incorrect treatment techniques7. In this study, carried out at the Institute of Science and Veterinary Medicine in Dalaba, the therapeutic evaluation of C. asiatica macerate in the repair and recovery of surgical wounds caused by this type of operation involving dogs was conducted.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Geographical location and population
Dalaba is one of the three Prefectures belonging to the Administrative Region of Mamou. It is located between 45' and 11°35' north latitude and between 10°21' and 12°16' west longitude, at an altitude ranging from 600 to 1,425m. Its surface area is 5,750 square kilometreswith a population of 133,677; a density of 23.25 inhabitants per km2 (RGPH3/2014).
Survey of managers and analysis of archives :
This survey was carried out by contacting a number of local executives. These exchanges were devoted to the recognition and existence of C. asiatica in the locality and its level of use by the actors; finally the analysis of the archives was carried out in order to obtain numerical data relating to the subject.
Survey of pet owners :
With bitch breeders, a discussion was held on the practice of ovariohysterectomy and its importance for the lives of the animals and their owners.
Harvesting the plant :
The harvest was carried out in the morning at the plant site of C. asiatica. The crop was harvested and placed in a plastic bag. The material was weighed in the preparation room using a Roberval balance.
Preparation of the galenic form (macerate) of C. asiatica:
The maceration was carried out immediately after harvesting, by disinfecting the preparation instruments, mondoning and disinfecting the leaves and stems with chlorinated water, then proceeding to rough division followed by grinding. The resulting grind was macerated in a plastic container, followed by the addition of drinking water and a 3-day incubation period at room temperature. Filtration was then carried out using a 2 mm mesh sieve over a 0.5mm special funnel. The resulting product was stored at room temperature.
Establishing the experimental nucleus
Subjects were then divided into two batches of 6 animals: batch 1 served as control and batch 2 was treated with the extract.
Practice of ovariohysterectomy
The operation was carried out using the method described by Axel Schönfelder al. 20068.
Application of the macerate to the surgical wound
The macerate was applied at a dose of 10 drops, twice a day for 2 weeks. Before applying the macerate, the wounds were cleaned with distilled water and then dried with absorbent paper.
Statistical analysis: The data were processed using Microsoft Excel. Analysis of the data was carried out with SPSS version 20 to determine the means and standard error of the means. The statistically significant differences of the groups were analysed by ANOVA at p<0.05.
RESULTS
Survey of managers and analysis of archives
A survey of managers revealed that C. asiatica can be found in the Urban Commune of Dalaba, but has never been studied in the locality. Some actors reported that it has many therapeutic properties (pro-healing of wounds and burns, antiseptic and for animals).
Survey of traditional therapists
According to these traditional practitioners, the use of the plant's leaves and stems as an aqueous macerate or poultice on surgical wounds and burns is an excellent healing agent. They have also found it to be an effective remedy for gastritis and gynaecological infections.
Farmers' survey
In order to assess the use of C. asiaticaand the practice of ovario hysterectomy on bitches, we carried out surveys in the various localities where the breeders are located. The results show that, of the 10 breeders surveyed, (7) are well informed about the plant and its therapeutic properties, while (2) have no knowledge of it. Only one (1) breeder was aware of the practice of ovariohysterectomy.
Application of C. asiatica macerate and speed of wound healing
The aqueous maceration extract is made and obtained to enable the extraction of water-soluble principles such as tannins and most of the flavonoids contained in C. asiatica. The healing rate of wounds treated with the extract is shown in Figure 1.
DISCUSSION
In this study, the curative activity of C. asiatica against post-operative complications in bitches after ovariohysterectomy was evaluated. Present work shows that ovariohysterectomy is a very widespread surgical procedure in veterinary medicine in the urban district of Dalaba. Nevertheless, it is sometimes accompanied by intra- and post-operative complications. The main active compounds in C. asiatica include triterpenoid saponins, particularly madecassoside, asiaticoside, madecassic acid and asiatic assic9-11. A number of clinical studies have been conducted on the plant's anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity in animal models12-14. Current research has shown that the plant has curative potential. This was reflected not only in a reduction in the duration of the inflammatory phase of the wound but also, macroscopically. In practice, these tissues, formed of a stratified layer that restores the barrier function of the epithelium, protect the wound against attacks from external agents.
C. asiatica contains numerous phenolic components, in particular flavonoids (including catechin, epicatechin, kaempferol, quercetin and related glycosides). It contains chlorogenic acids, a diverse group of compounds formed by quinic acid esterified into derivatives of cinnamic acid15. Hydroxycinnamic esterified flavonoids, such as castilliferol and castillicetin (quercetin-3-caffeate), have been identified using aqueous methanol concentrates from the plant16. The common pentacyclic triterpenoids, namely asiaticoside and madecassoside, as well as the associated acids, and the aglycones, have all been extensively researched and are currently recognised as C. asiatica's essential active components17. The presence of these constituents and others not yet mentioned in the study could also play an important role in this repair activity.
Limitations of the study
The study should also cover the treatment of wounds in other animal species, taking into account vascular metabolic imbalance and nutritional deficiency. An in vivo study would be necessary, however, to assess the efficacy of the macerate in other subjects.
CONCLUSION
The application of C. asiatica macerate to post-operative wounds in bitches has shown good clinical applicability, with anti-inflammatory activity and accelerated healing.The therapeutic potential of the plant is thought to be attributable to its most important bioactive components. The study argues that C. asiatica could be a better alternative for surgical wound closure.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Regarding this study, there is no conflict of interest.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We sincerely acknowledge the financial support of the Institute of Science and Veterinary Medicine (ISSMV) in Dalaba, Republic of Guinea.
AUTHOR'S CONTRIBUTION
All authors have worked equally in this study.
REFERENCES