ABSTRACTS OF SOME RESEARCH ON HEALING EFFECTS OF SANGRE DE GRADO

 
The study by Perez of the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos 1998) in Lima, showed a rapid healing effect in 100% of the mice treated after receiving skin wounds.

A Belgian study (1993) showed that Sangre de Grado stimulates the reduction of wounds, helping in the formation of a scar over the wound by allowing a more rapid spread of scar tissue and aiding in the formation of fresh collagen.

Vaisberg and colleagues (1989) showed a dose-dependent healing effect in their study on live mice. In this study it was observed that the taspine increased the migration of human fibroblasts from the foreskin in cell cultures.

The study made by Porras-Reyes and colleagues at the University of Washington (1993) showed that taspine stimulates the chemotaxis of fibroblasts in the healing process in rat skin.

Anti-ulceration effect: The study by Miller and col. (2000) determined a significant reduction in the size of the ulcer induced in rats by the application of acetic acid when treated with Sangre de Grado. The study made by Ayala and col. (2000, 1999) verifies this significant protection in the case of injury produced by ethanol in rats, being compared with saline solution, sucralphate and the commercial product Mylanta in concentration of 0.8 ml/kg.
The study made by Malaga of the Peruvian Cayetano Heredia University (1991) showed that taspine reduced the degree of ulceration in peptic ulcer in rats by 50% in comparison with the control. An additional protective effect on the gastric mucous membrane was found was found in rats whose lesions were induced by indometacine

Antiviral effect: The study by Ubillus and col. (1994) showed the antiviral effect of isolated SP-303, against a variety of DNA and RNA virus. The in vitro tests showed a potent activity against stocks of cincitial respiratory virus (RSV) types A and B, influenza virus A(FLU-A) and para-influenza (PIV).Parallel tests showed that the SP-303 acts similarly to the commercial product ribavarin. The SP-303 shows a significant inhibitory action against the herpes virus (HSV) types 1 and 2, including the hypervirus which is resistant to the drugs acyclovir and foscarnet. There are phase I and II clinical studies which show the antiviral effect for respiratory viral infections and herpes which have been approved by the FDA. Inhibition has also been observed against the hepatitis virus A and B.

Hudson (1990) showed anti-viral activity against the Sindbis virus and Citamegalovirus.

Anti-microbe effect: Hudson (1990) showed that Sangre de Grado inhibits Gram (-) bacteria and skin fungus in vitro. The study by Viasberg and col. (1989) showed that the simple phenol compounds and diterpenes act against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. In the case of B. subtilis, the trimetoxiphenols were more potent than penicillin and chloramphenicol.

Zapata (1987) showed the anti-microbe action against Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermis and other gram negative bacteria such as enterobacter, citrobacter, salmonella, etc.


Macrae (1988) found anti-fungal activity in the case of Microsporum and Trichophyton.
Studies on anti-ulcer activity showed a marked reduction in bacterial growth in the ulcer cavity.

Miller’s study of the latex (1999) detected in vitro activity against Helicobacter pylori, this being an interesting new discovery.

Anti-inflammatory effect: The study by Persinos and col. (1974) confirms the anti-inflammatory effect of taspine in rats. Perdue and col. (1979) proved the anti-inflammatory activity of the alkaloid taspine by three methods: with oedema of the foot induced by carragenine, the pelotilla-induced granuloma and the poly-arthritis adjuvant method. Other researchers attribute the anti-inflammatory effect to the lignane of dihydrobenzofurane, 3’4-0-dimethylcedrusine.

Anti-tumour effect: Evans 1983

Anti-oxidant effect: Desmarchelier (1997) determined that, while the latex has a slight pro-oxidant effect at low concentration, at high concentrations it is extremely effective for reducing the oxidation of DNA by capturing the peroxile and hydroxile radicals.