Secret behind healing power of Kerala herb ‘murikoodi pacha’

The researchers at the Centre of Excellence Phyto Chemical Nanotechnology in Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanical Garden have found the ‘secret’ behind the incredible wound healing power of the medicinal herb Murikoodi Pacha. They even developed a pad that could heal wounds using these properties. The Sreshta project of the Kerala Science Technology and Environmental Council supported the research.

Murikoodi pacha, whose scientific name is Strobilanthus alternata or red ivy, has been widely used in the countryside to heal wounds. Its leaf extract could heal even the deepest wound. It was assumed that the lupeol component in the leaf was responsible for the herb's wound-healing properties. However, the new research suggests that a compound called acteoside is responsible for red ivy’s ability to heal wounds and lesions.

Acteoside, which is found abundantly in murikoodi pacha, costs around Rs 4,500 – 6,000 per milligram in the international market. Moreover, it is very easy to separate this component. The flimsy nano fibre layer on the pad developed by the researchers also has wound healing properties.

Besides acteoside, the herb also contains neomycin, which is an antibiotic that can eliminate stench and prevent the growth of microorganisms. The research done on animals was a success with favourable results. Researchers Dr V Gayathri, Dr S Ajikumaran Nair, Dr B Sabulal, Neeraj S Lal and Dr V Arunachalam stated that the nano pad would be submitted for patent.