Source: TH
Context: Scientists at JNTBGRI, Kerala have developed a multifunctional wound-healing pad using the red ivy plant (Strobilanthes alternata), combining traditional knowledge with nanotechnology.
About Red Ivy Plant (Murikooti Pacha):
- What It Is?
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- A tropical medicinal plant widely known for its wound-healing properties and used in indigenous medicine.
- Scientific Name: Strobilanthes alternata (Family: Acanthaceae).
- Region Found In:
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- Grows abundantly in tropical regions including India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia.
- Found in moist forests and shaded rural areas; thrives in Kerala’s Western Ghats ecosystem.
- Key Features:
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- Appearance: Spreading vine-like plant with red-green leaves.
- Bioactive Compound: Acteoside – proven antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial agent.
- Sustainability: Easily cultivable, ensuring large-scale availability for medicinal use.
- Significance:
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- Traditional Medicine: Used by local healers for treating cuts, bruises, and skin infections.
- Scientific Breakthrough: First-time isolation of acteoside from this plant → basis for wound-healing innovation.
- Healthcare Impact: Cost-effective, biodegradable wound pad with enhanced healing at low concentration (0.2%).
