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A large number of plants are used by folklore traditions in
India for treatment of cuts, wounds and burns. Particularly,
the leaves of
Ziziphus mauritiana
Lam. (Family: Rhamnaceae) have been practiced on wounds for
healing. The aim of the present
investigation was to assess the in vivo wound healing
efficacy of prepared topical formulation of 5% w/w
ethanolic extract ointment and 5% w/w of aqueous extract
ointment and nitrofurazone ointment (0.2% w/w) on excision
wound model in Wistar albino rats. The effect produced by
ointment, in terms of wound contracting ability, wound
closure, decrease in surface area of wound, tissue
regeneration at the wound site in treated Wistar albino rats
shows that proliferation of epithelial tissue promotes
angiogenesis, multiplication of fibrous connective tissue
due to treatment with Z. mauritiana. Acute toxicity
studies revealed the non-toxic nature of Z. mauritiana.
Ethanolic extract ointment (5% w/w) of Z. mauritiana
manifested 99% wound contraction on the 16th day. These
results were also comparable to those of a standard drug,
nitrofurazone. Topical formulation with 5% w/w ethanolic
extract promoted wound contraction and reduced the wound
closure time, so increase in tensile strength and wound
contraction shows the wound healing potential of Z.
mauritiana. Thus, the present study supports the
scientific rationale for the traditional use of this plant
in the management of wounds.
Key words:
Herbal ointment, Ziziphus mauritiana, wound healing,
wistar albino rats. |
