INTRODUCTION:

Structure and function of the skin:

The skin is the main appendage of the person body, both in terms of shell area and weight. It accounts for 15% of entirety body weight. It serves as an significant ecological boundary providing a defensive envelope that is crucial for homeostasis. On the other hand, the skin is a chief target for toxic insult by an extensive variety of physical (UV radiation) and chemical (xenobiotic) agents that are talented of varying its composition and function¹. Skin acts as a physical obstruction and prevents hurtful substances and germs from entering the body. It protects body tissues and the arrangement of muscles, bones, nerves and blood vessels beside injury. It also controls the loss of fluids like blood and water, helps control body temperature through perspiration, and protects from the sun’s destructive ultraviolet rays.

The skin consists of three layers. The epidermis or outer layer is ended up of mostly dead cells with a protein called keratin. This makes the layer waterproof and is responsible for protection beside the environment. The dermis or middle layer is ended up of livelihood cells. It also has blood vessels and nerves that run through it and is chiefly responsible for organization and hold up. The subcutaneous fat layer is primarily accountable for filling and shock absorbency. It also contains structure like sweat glands, sebaceous glands, hair and hair follicles. Sebaceous glands exude an oily substance called sebum and are found over the entire float up of the body except for the palms, soles and dorsum of the feet. Sebum protects hair and skin, and keeps them from suitable dry, brittle, and cracked. It also inhibits the development of germs on skin.

Diseases of the skin:

Communicable diseases, mainly skin and mucosal infections, are widespread in most of the tribal inhabitants due to not have of sanitation, potable water and consciousness of hygienic food habits.² It has been predictable that skin diseases report for 34% of all work-related diseases. As the primary interface between the body and outer environment, the skin provides the first line of protection against expansive injury by microbial and chemical agents. And a lot of more factors other than trauma and prime skin disease have been acknowledged as causative to skin infections and these contain immune deficiency diseases, diabetes mellitus and systemic or topical use of steroids³. The most damaging consequence of disruption to the skin is incursion by pathogenic germs⁴. Skin diseases can be caused by a range of the germs and the skin is a haven for many microorganisms. In skin and soft tissue infections, the commonest bacterial agents are Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A haemolytic streptococcus), Clostridium perfringes and the bacteriodes group. Others are Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium leprae, Neisseria gonorrhea, Pasturella tulurensis, Bacillus antracis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The general fungi which root skin infections are Candida albicans, Candida neoformans, Epidermophyton flocossum, Trychophyton tonsurans, Melassezia furfur, etc. A broad team of microbial pathogens is connected with various skin infections. The Gram positive Staphylococci and Streptococci are causing wound infections, furuncles, curbuncles, abscesses, impetigo and erysipelas. The Gram positive Corynebacteria are division of the physiological skin flora. However, Corynebacteria may foundation opportunistic skin infections in immune concealed patients. The Gram negative Escherichia coli are part of the physiological intestinal flora. However, outside the intestine they may cause wound disease and sepsis. Anaerobic Gram negative rods can cause skin infections under certain situation, i.e. in immune compromised subjects. The yeast Candida albicans and Candida krusei may come about in low incidence on skin and mucous membranes without causing symptoms. As opportunistic pathogens they may overgrow the normal plants and basis skin diseases like impetigo and candidiasis in diabetics, adipose and immune wanting subjects⁵. Pseudomonas, Gram negative rod is a frequent pathogen of wound infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common burn patient’s pathogen capable of causing life-threatening illnesses⁶. This bacterium can cause clinically important infections such as injury and burn infections, giving go up to blue-green pus⁷. Some infections like hot tub folliculitis or nail disease may be gentle but others can be fatal without prompt treatment⁸. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is capable to infect different parts of the body. Several factors like the capacity to fuse on the cells, minimum food requirements, resistance to several antibiotics, and fabrication of proteins that damage tissue, protective outer coat make it a strong antagonist. Some diseases caused by fungi include candidiasis, ringworms, athlete’s foot, tinea pedis, sporotrichosis, blastomycosis and others not with distinctly specified circumstances.

Modes of communication:

Communicable agents may be transmitted either through straight or not direct contact. Direct contact occurs when an person is infected by get in touch with the basin, for example, by touching an infected person, ingesting infected meat, or bitten by an contaminated animal or insect. Non-living objects that are polluted by direct contact with the basin may be the indirect get in touch with for a susceptible individual. Ingesting food and beverages contaminated by contact with a disease reservoir is another example of disease transmission by indirect contact.

Natural medicine for microbial skin diseases:

The search for newer starting place of antibiotics is a global challenge preoccupying research institutions, pharmaceutical companies and academia, since many communicable agents are suitable resistant to synthetic drugs⁹. One way to stop antibiotic resistance of pathogenic species is by using new compounds that are not based on existing synthetic antimicrobial agents. Difficulty of resistance, ecological deprivation and pollution connected with illogical use of orthodox medicines has necessitated transformed interest in environment as a source of effective and safer alternatives in the management of human infections¹⁰. In growing countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about three quarters of the populations relies on plant based measures used in their traditional medicinal system and as the basic wants for human primary health care. Plants create a diverse variety of bioactive molecules, creation them rich sources of dissimilar types of drug¹¹. Natural products, also as pure compounds or as consistent plant extracts, provide matchless availability of chemical diversity¹². Several plants containing volatile oils, polyphenols and alkaloids as active constituents are utilized as well-liked folk medicines, while others gained popularity in the form of finished products collectively named phytomedicines¹³. Plant consequent products can be exploited with sustainable, comparative and competitive benefit. These include reduced rate, less hazardous, more effective and eagerly available¹⁴. Tribal healers in the majority of the countries, often use herbal medicine to take care of cut wounds, skin infection, swelling, aging, eczema and gastric ulcer¹⁵. The dissimilar parts of plants used for skin diseases include some active principles or components that are antimicrobial and nutritive in task ¹⁶. Medicinal plants have been used in traditional treatment of skin diseases universal. AcaIypha wilkesiana is a common decorative plant in southern Nigeria used as a herbal remedy for the cure of undefined skin infections in children¹⁷. Iranian traditional medicine (ITM), uses plants in the healing of burns, dermatophytes and infectious diseases or as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agents¹⁸. Plants and its phytoconstituents are used to treat fungal infections mostly candidiasis such as oropharyngeal candidiasis, vulvovaginal candidiasis and others such as spirotrichosis, chromoblastomycosis, etc.¹⁹. South African plant Dodonaea vuscosa Var. angustifolia, plants and twigs extracts is predictably used as a gargle for oral candidiasis²⁰. Septilin, an Ayurvedic herbal formulation, is used extensively as an immunomodulator and has also been working in the treatment of various skin infections²¹. Benjamen et al.²² and Abatan²³ reported that leaf juice and decoctions of Senna alata are used in the management of ringworm and other skin diseases. Other herbs known to be used for management of skin infections include Quisqualis indica, Cormelina benghalensis, Amaranthus spinosus, Ramunculus scleratus, Cassia alata²⁴. The plants screened for antibacterial and antifungal activity are Asteracantha longifolia, Curcuma amada, Curcuma longa, Daemia extensa, Euphorbia hirta, Euphorbia tirucalli, Euphorbia nerrifolia, Heliotropium indicum, Morus alba, Pithecellobium dulce and Trichedesma indicum.

The skin serves many functions particularly: security, thermoregulation, percutaneaous assimilation, secretary, and sensory. It has been predictable that skin diseases report for 34% of all professional diseases. In a study it was exposed that skin diseases constituted 6.3% of the total number of the patients who attended therapeutic care. The herbalists prescribed various preparations of medicinal plants in treating ailments such as itch, eczema, scabies and skin diseases. Traditional medicinal resources, especially plants, have been found to play a major role in supervision dermatological circumstances. Antimicrobial and wound healing plants are among some of the major medicinal plants that are commonly offered in markets. Plant derived products of different therapeutic categories of pharmaceutical preparations are currently suggested by medical practitioners and they form an significant part of the health-care system in the contemporary world.^25,26,27

Alangium Salvifolium:

B. S : Alangium salvifolium

Family : Cornaceae

Vernacular Name:

English : Sage leaved Alangium

Hindi : Angol, Dhera,

Malayalam: Ankolam, Velithondi

Telugu: Urgu

Tamil: Alandi

Plant Description:

A little, thorny deciduous tree/ shrub which grows up to a tallness of 5-10 meters. Bark yellowish, leaves alternate, elliptical and typically unequal at the base; flowers-yellowish white, fragrant, in axillary fascicles, fruits 1-2 seeded, 1cm in length,1-2 seeded berries crowned by the calyx lobes.

Action: Alterative, anthelmintic, febrifuge

Chemical constituents: Alangine.

Uses in Siddha:

· The stem bark is powdered and is sprayed externally for leprosy, scabies, etc.

· The medicated oil prepared is used externally and on the inside with palm jaggery for scabies, gonorrheal and syphilitic ulcers

· The oil prepared from its seed is used internally with palm jaggery for leprosy

Aristolochia bracteolate:

B.S: Aristolochia bracteolate

Family: Aristolochiaceae

Vernacular Nammes:

English: Indian birthwort; worm killer

Gujarati: Kidamari

Marathi: Gnadhan, Gandhati

Bengali: Taamaak

Kannada: Karigid, Kattagiri,

Tamil: Adutinnalai

Telugu: Gadidegadapara

Malayalam: Adutinnapali

Action: Anthelmintic, alterative, stimulant, tonic

Chemical constituents: Glucosides, isoaristolochic acis, Allantoin and isovanillin are obtained from this plant.

Uses in Siddha:

The decoction of the leaves is used to cure dermatitis, and various types of rashes, in general.

The juice of the plant is mixed with gingelly oil and is heated. This oil is used for dermatitis, and other allergic disorders. And when given internally for 40 days cures the lesions of leprosy.

Datura Metel:

B.S: Datura metel

Family: Solanaceae

Vernacular Names:

Eng name: Thorn apple

Sanskrit Name:Dhatura

Hindi Name:Dhatur

Action: Vermicide, anti-spasmodic, anodyne

Chemical constituents: Hyoscine, Hyoscyamine, Atropine

Uses in Siddha:

· The oil prepared from its leaf is used for diabetic ulcer, chronic ulcers, and cut wounds and other extra growths.

· The fruit of the plant is made dry and is powdered and is applied externally for scabies, allergic dermatitis.

Gloriosa superba:

B.S: Gloriosa superb

Family: Liliaceae

Vernacular Name

English: Malabar glory lily

Sanskirt: Langli, Visalya

Hindi: Karihari Languli

Kannada: Agnishike, Gowrihoo,Akkatangiballi

Tamil: Nabhikkodi

Action : Alterative, anti-periodic, purgative

Constituents: Gloriosine, Superbine

Uses in Siddha: The root tuber is mixed with babchi seeds (Psoralea corylifoila), black cumin (Nigella sativa) and purple fleebane (Vernonia anthelmintica) and is complete to a paste and is applied outwardly for various skin diseases.

Indigofera Aspalathoides

B.S: Indigofera asplathoides

Family: Papilionaceae

Vernacular Name

Eng: Indigo plant

Sanskrit: Ranjani

English: Indigo

Kannada: Nili

Hindi: Nili

Action: Stimulant, demulcent

Constituents: Specific oil, dyes

Uses in Siddha:

· The decoction of the leaves and flowers is used for various types of rashes in skin.

· The root is used in preparing medicated oil and is applied externally for scabies, leprosy etc.

· The medicated oil prepared from its root is given internally with the fine particles of the whole plant for leprosy, dermatitis, and a variety of ulcers.

Semecarpus anacardium:

B.S: Semecarpus anacardium

Family: Anacardiaceae

Vernacular Name

Eng name: Marking nut tree

Malayalam: Thenkotta,

Sanskrit: Agni mukhi,

Hindi: Bhilava, Bhilawa

Tamil: Tatamkottai, Scramkotati, Sen kottai

Kannada: Bhallataka,

Telugu: Jeedi vithullu

Konkani: Amberi

Action: Alterative, caustic

Chemical constituents: Anacardic acid, Cardol, Anacardol, Semecarpol.

Uses in Siddha:

The nut is purified and is processed in a number of forms such as powder, oil, ghee, and leghyam and is given for a range of skin disease like leucoderma, allergic dermatitis, toxic bites leprosy etc.

Hydnocarpus laurifolia

B.S: Hydnocarpus laurifolia

Family: Flacourtiaceae

Vernacular Name:

Sanskrit: Tuvaraka

Kannada: Suranti, surti, toratti

Hindi: Chaulmoogra

Eng: Jangli almond, Chaulmugra

Action: Parasiticide, alterative, detergent, stimulant

Chemical constituents: Chaulmoogric acid, Hydnocarpic acid

Uses in Siddha:

• The kennel is covered with water in lemon juice or curd and is made into a paste and is applied externally for itching, scabies. The medicated oil obtained from its seed is used for leprosy, hyper vitaminosis A (Phrenoderma)

Smilax china:

B.S: Smilax china

Family: Liliaceae

Vernacular Name:

Eng name: China root

Hindi: Chopchini

Malayalam: Pavu, Cheenapavu

Plant Description:

A hard tendril climber with prickles all in surplus of the stem. Leaves simple, alternate, elliptic, acute and sometimes obtuse and nerved, with prominent stipule at base of leaves. Flowers, white, small and many, found in axillary umbels. Fruits red globose berries. Rhizomes are long, thick and grey colored. Cut surfaces yellowish white colored.

Action: Anti-syphilitic, alterative,

Chemical constituents: Fat, Glucoside, Saponin, Gum, Starch.

Uses in Siddha: The root tuber is prepared in a variety of forms like powder, medicated oil, decoction and is used for various skin diseases like dermatitis, ulcers, scabies, leucoderma etc.

Wrightia Tinctoria²⁸

B.S: Wrightia tinctoria

Family: Apocyanaceae

Vernacular Name

English : Pala indigo plant

Hindi: Indarjou

Malayalam: Dhantappala

Sanskrit: Kutajah

Tamil: Nilappalai

Action: Astringent, tonic, anthelmintic

Chemical constituents:Glucoside, and certain alkaloids.

Uses in Siddha:

The leaf is soaked in coconut oil and is reserved in hot sun for a day and the oil obtained is used for psoriasis and this is established clinically.

CONCLUSION:

In progress world-wide attention in traditional medicine has lead to fast growth and studies of numerous remedies working by a diversity of racial groups of the globe. There are numerals of medicinal plants which are used traditionally by the tribal people in skin disorder. In attention of the study we recognized number of medicinal plants used by the people to cure dermatological disorders. More wide ethno-botanical and ethno-pharmacological study may show the way to the growth of medicinal plants for skin care and heal. Thus, the major aim of the current review is to discover and scheme the medicinal plants which have the probable to become the modern drug alternate for skin disorder.

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Received on 07.04.2022 Modified on 26.06.2022

Asian J. Research Chem. 2022; 15(5):367-371.

DOI: 10.52711/0974-4150.2022.00065