Evaluation of aqueous extract of leaves of Ocimum kilimandscharicum on wound healing activity in albino wistar rats.

Abstract

The present study was aimed to evaluate the wound healing potential of aqueous extract of leaves of Ocimum kilimandscharicum. It is a well-known plant in Indian traditional medicine. On the basis of traditional use and literature references, this plant was selected for evaluation of wound healing potential. An aqueous extract of leaves was examined for wound healing activity at two different doses (200 and 400 mg/kg) in three types of wound models on rats: the excision, the incision and dead space wound model. Significant increase in skin breaking strength, granuloma breaking strength, wound contraction, dry granuloma weight and decreased in epithelization period was observed in animals of both the treatment groups compared to control. Granuloma tissue was subjected to histological examination to determine the pattern of lay-down for collagen using Van Gieson and Masson Trichome strains. Biochemical parameters viz; L-Hydroxyproline, Hexose amine, Ascorbic acid and Malondialdehyde also confirmed its potential wound healing activity at either dose. Thus, the enhanced wound healing may be due to free radical scavenging action and the antibacterial property of the phytoconstituents present in it which either due to their individual or additive effect fastens the process of wound healing.