EVALUATION OF WOUND HEALING ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF LEPIDAGATHIS CRISTATA. WILLD. (ACANTHACEAE) IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMAL MODELS.

M. N. Abubacker* and P. Kamala Devi

ABSTRACT

Wound healing activity of ethanolic extract of Lepidagathis cristata. Willd. (Acanthaceae) was investigated by excision wound healing model in Wistar albino rats. Phytochemical screening was done to determine major constituents of ethanolic extract of L. cristata. Phytochemical study revealed that the presence of tannins, saponins, terpenoids, flavonoids and alkaloids. The wound healing effect was comparatively evaluated with simple ointment and standard drug nitrofurazone for a period of 18 days. Ethanolic extract of the herb showed significant reduction in wound area in comparison with control from 4th day (p<0.01) on wards and very high from 8th day to 18th day (p<0.001). The effect produced by the extract , in terms of wound contracting ability, wound closure, decrease in surface area of wound, and tissue regeneration at the wound site were significant in treated rats. The present study thus provides a scientific rationale for the traditional use of this plant in the management of the wound healing process.

Keywords: Lepidagathis cristata, excision wound healing model, nitrofurazone, wound closure, tissue regeneration