Evaluation of the healing activity of hydrocotyle tincture in the treatment of wounds

The object of this study was to evaluate the healing activity of Cothyline^TM, a new formulation comprising asiaticoside as the main ingredient in combination with antiseptic adjuvants. The study has two parts: (1) a clinical phase involving the observation of patients afflicted with soiled wounds and chronic or recurrent atony which was resistant to the usual treatment, and (2) an experimental phase in which the healing action of Cothyline was evaluated by light and electron microscopic observation of the morphological changes that occurred in scarified guinea pig skin. Treatment of patients with Cothyline completely healed (64%) or improved (16%) the lesions under study. In the animal study, it was shown that changes occurred in the shape and size of the keratohyaline granules, a phenomenon observed during accelerated healing. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the healing action of Cothyline has been demonstrated in an objective and controlled manner. Cothyline has the unique advantage of simultaneously acting as an antiseptic and a cicatrizant; moreover, it affects all four phases of healing. This drug constitutes a new and advantageous approach in the treatment of wounds.