Kacip Fatimah Extract for Wound Healing

BRIEF TECHNOLOGY

• Kacip Fatimah (KF) or Labisia pumila plant extract promotes wound healing and prevents infection
• In-vivo and in-vitro testing demonstrated 20% to 25% faster wound healing compared to current gold standard Flavine and 10% to 15% faster to sea cucumber or gamat.
• Due to high anti-inflammatory properties of KF extract, wounds are less inflamed and may cause less pain and swelling during the initial process of healing.
• High potential to become a better alternative for wound treatment

INSPIRATION OF THE INVENTION

• Previous research by UKM researchers identified and demonstrated the anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant and phytoestrogenic properties of KF. 
• All these properties are useful in the pathway of wound healing and this lead to the idea of using KF extract for wound healing.

PROBLEM STATEMENT & CURRENT ISSUES

• Minor wounds is the most common morbidity afflicting humans.
• Millions of minor wounds occurs daily and the use of wound treating agents such flavine and antiseptics prolonged wound healing and not shorten it.
• The invention of a novel product that is safe and shorten the wound healing time will reduce morbidity and improve quality of life.

INVENTIVENESS  & NOVELTY

• Using KF extract to expedite wound healing has never been done before. 
• Wound healing agent is commonly linked to sea cucumber or gamat in Malaysia but the problem with gamat availability and the extinction of gamat makes large scale production using gamat extract non-viable.
• Using a renewable plant source such as KF as a wound healing agent will solve the supply issue and our research has shown KF extract has better wound healing results.

USEFULNESS & APPLICATION

• Use as a wound healing agent
• Can be made into ointment or medicated plaster and applied directly to minor wounds
• Proven to reduce wound healing time by up to 25% compared to antiseptics used for wound healing. Eg. An average sized wound using antiseptics takes 7 days to heal. Using KF extract will reduce it to 5 days.
• Less pain and swelling during the first few days of healing (inflammation phase)

IMPACT OF THE PRODUCT

• There is currently no large scale commercially available wound healing agent in the market that is scientifically proven to expedite wound healing and reduce inflammation and swelling
• Huge socioeconomic impact. Minor wounds are the most common morbidity afflicting humans. Results in huge loss of economic output with the inability to work and the reduction of quality of life.
• Wound healing agents are a multi-million ringgit industry.

MARKET POTENTIAL 

• Health and medicine industry
• Pharmacy chains

TRL :  5