Effect of Hepatogard--an indigenous formulation on dexamethasone induced antihealing effects in male albino rats.

Hepatogard, is a multi-ingredient phytopharmaceutical product containing crude powders of eleven plants. Its effect on the different parameters of wound healing was assessed alone and in the presence of dexamethasone. The parameters chosen for the study were the breaking strength of incised wound, breaking strength of granulation tissue and hydroxyproline content. The result showed that Hepatogard increased the breaking strength of granulation tissue but not of incised wound. It reversed the dexamethasone induced decrease in breaking strength in both incised wound and granulation tissue. Even though it had no effect of its own on hydroxyproline concentration, it reversed the dexamethasone induced decrease in the hydroxyproline content of granulation tissue. Thus, Hepatogard has the potential for antagonizing the antihealing effect of steroids in patients receiving steroid therapy.