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The Healing Properties of Woodfordia Uniflora (A.Rich.) Koehne from the Dhofar Region of Oman Against Ulcers and Clostridium Perfringens Infections
Resource type
Authors/contributors
- Cock, Ian Edwin (Author)
- Rashan, Luay (Author)
Title
The Healing Properties of Woodfordia Uniflora (A.Rich.) Koehne from the Dhofar Region of Oman Against Ulcers and Clostridium Perfringens Infections
Abstract
Gangrene is a serious condition, which is characterised by tissue death. It results from restricted blood flow and anoxic conditions and is frequently caused by atherosclerosis, tissue damage, diabetes mellitus and some pathogen infections. Gas gangrene (clostridial myonecrosis), a common class of gangrene, results from bacterial (particularly Clostridium perfringens) infections following tissue injury. Woodfordia uniflora is used in traditional Arabian healing systems to treat gangrene ulcers and skin sores. However, despite its well-documented uses, W. uniflora has not yet been rigorously tested against bacterial causes of gangrene ulcers and skin sores. Additionally, W. uniflora extracts are yet to be tested for therapeutic potential against other aspects of ulcer/wound healing, including inflammation and tissue regeneration. Solvent extracts prepared from W. uniflora leaves were tested against C. perfringens as well as a panel of epidermal bacteria. Antimicrobial activity was quantified by MIC determination. The anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts was evaluated using COX-2 and PGE2 ELISA assays. Toxicity was evaluated using ALA and HDF cell viability bioassays. The methanolic, ethanolic and aqueous extracts displayed noteworthy inhibitory activity (≤875µg/mL) against C. perfringens. The ethanol extract was particularly good, with an MIC of 250µg/mL. The extracts also had noteworthy inhibitory activity against several antibiotic-resistant epidermal bacteria, including MRSA (MICs 250-650µg/mL). Additionally, the W. uniflora extracts (1.25mg/mL) significantly inhibited COX-2 activity and PGE2 secretion. The ethanol extract was particularly promising, decreasing COX-2 enzymatic activity and PGE2 secretion by approximately 60% and 73% respectively. All W. uniflora extracts were non-toxic in the ALA and HDF cell viability assays, indicating their safety for therapeutic use. Taken together, these results indicate that W. uniflora extracts have therapeutic potential in the treatment of gas gangrene by inhibiting C. perfringens (and several skin bacteria), as well as inhibiting COX-2 mediated inflammation. Further studies are required to determine whether the extracts also affect extracellular matrix formation and tissue remodeling, and to identify the extract components responsible for those activities.
Publication
AIJR Abstracts
Date
2026
Volume
8
Issue
6
Pages
1-1
Citation Key
cockHealingPropertiesWoodfordia2026
Accessed
3/27/26, 8:33 AM
Language
eng
Library Catalog
Citation
Cock, I. E., & Rashan, L. (2026). The Healing Properties of Woodfordia Uniflora (A.Rich.) Koehne from the Dhofar Region of Oman Against Ulcers and Clostridium Perfringens Infections. AIJR Abstracts, 8(6), 1–1. https://abstracts.aijr.org/index.php/abs/article/view/522
Topic
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