Wound healing effect of Flabellaria paniculata leaf extracts

Abstract

Aim of the study: This study evaluated wound healing activity of the chloroform and aqueous fractions of the methanolic extract of Flabellaria paniculata leaf on infected wounds in rats as a follow up to an initial study of the crude extract.

Materials and methods: Wounds were inflicted on Wistar rats using excision model. Local infection was introduced into rat abdominal wounds with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using a 10(8)cells/ml inoculum. Rate of wound healing was assessed by contraction and period of epithelization.

Results: Chloroform fraction exhibited significant wound healing potency (p<0.05) as compared with controls. The test drug achieved 100% wound contraction on day 14 in non-infected group, on day 16 in Staphylococcus aureus infected group and on day 18 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa group.

Conclusions: Chloroform extract of Flabellaria paniculata proves to be a potential anti-infective and wound healing agent. Its in vitro antibacterial and in vivo wound healing activities are in good agreement with the local medicinal use of the plant for skin diseases and sores.