THE EFFECT OF ETHANOLIC SEED EXTRACT OF SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM ON WOUND HEALING

Edibamode Ezon-Ebidor Innocent, *Paul Chikwuogwo Wokpeogu, Wifa Bright Sudor and Paul John Nwolim

ABSTRACT

Background: A wound is a trauma to any of the tissues of the body especially that caused by physical means with interruption to continuity which normally heals rapidly without difficulty. The gross wound morphometry and wound healing activity of ethanolic extract of Solanum lycopersicum seeds were studied. Materials and Methods: The ethanolic extract of Solanum lycopersicum seeds were prepared using 42.38g of blended S. lycopersicum seeds after drying. 20 male wistar rats separated into two groups; experimental and control (of 10 each) was used in this research. A wound size of 2cm by 2cm which exposed the panniculus adiposus was inflicted on the right dorso-lateral shaved aspect of the thorax after anaesthetizing. The wound sizes were immediately measured using a 4cm by 4cm template of transparent sheet and placed on a graph sheet for counting of the small blocks. The experimental group were administered the extract while control group had distilled water. Results and Discussion: The percentage mean wound contraction on day 3, 6, 9 and 12 for the control group were 18.41 + 9.86, 42.27 + 12.39, 73.63 + 11.89 and 81.23+7.34 respectively, while for the experimental group on day 3, 6, 9 and 12 were 22.35 +8.65, 57.11 + 12.33, 87.50 + 3.84 and 95.58 + 3.14 respectively. Comparing the two groups for the respective days, day 3 and 9 showed no statistical difference, while day 6 and 12 were found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). The mean wound closure day for the experimental and control groups were approximately day 15 and 21 respectively. Conclusion: Solanum lycopersicum seeds have been found to accelerate wound healing by facilitating wound contraction and promoting quicker wound closure day.

Keywords: Wound, Contraction, Solanum, Lycopersicum, Morphometry.