Studies on wound healing potentials of the leaf extract of Terminalia avicennioides (Guill. & parr.) on wistar rats

The study investigated the wound healing potential of leaf extract of Terminalia avicenniodes in vivo models of Wistar rats. The antimicrobial potential of the plant extract was first determined against a panel of pathogens associated with wound infection using agar-well dilution method. Thirty healthy male Wistar rats weighing 180±2.8 g were anaesthetized, incision and excision wound were made on the animal aseptically. The wounds were aseptically infected with standardized inoculums of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa respectively. Two concentrations of the ointment incorporated with the plant extract were prepared (TaEAF 0.35 mg/kg and 0.175 mg/kg) and applied on incised and excised wound for 10 and 22 days respectively. The rate of wound contraction, period of epithelization and histology of the healed tissue antioxidant enzymes, free radicals and connective tissue markers were estimated in excision wound model. There was increased wound breaking strength in TaEAF 0.35 mg/kg treated group (p ˂ 0.001), wound contraction rate (98%) and early epithelization period were observed in both S. aureus and P. aeruginosa infected wounds as against the control group. Also, reduction in free radicals and stimulation of antioxidant enzymes as well as connective tissue markers were observed. Histological evidence of restoration of adnexa and fibrosis within the dermis in the treated grouped animals justified wound healing potential of T. avicennioides.