Kerala Researchers Develop Innovative Wound-Healing Pad Using Red Ivy Plant Nanotechnology
Scientists at the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden & Research Institute (JNTBGRI) in Kerala have developed a multifunctional wound-healing pad using the red ivy plant (Strobilanthes alternata). Locally known as 'murikooti pacha', the plant has long been used in traditional medicine for treating cuts. Researchers isolated the acteoside molecule from the plant, which exhibits high efficacy in healing even at low concentrations. The pad utilizes electro-spun nanofibers, making it biodegradable, non-toxic, and breathable, while incorporating the antibiotic neomycin sulfate to prevent infection. This innovation successfully bridges traditional ethnobotanical knowledge with modern nanotechnology.
Key Points
- The red ivy plant (Strobilanthes alternata) is traditionally used in Kerala for its medicinal properties.
- Researchers isolated the acteoside molecule, which is the key active ingredient for wound healing.
- The technology uses electro-spun nanofibers to create a thin, breathable, and biodegradable medical pad.
- The product combines traditional knowledge with modern pharmacology and nanotechnology.
Exam Facts
- Scientific name of red ivy: Strobilanthes alternata.
- Key molecule identified: Acteoside.
- Institute: Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden & Research Institute (JNTBGRI).
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