Comparison of the Effects of Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) and Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) Extracts on Healing of Open Wounds in Rabbits

This study investigated the effects of topically applied oily homogenized and powder forms of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) (MC) and ointment formulation of gotu kola (Centella asiatica) (CA) extract and compared the results with untreated control and pure olive oil groups on wound healing in rabbits. A total of 30 New Zealand rabbits were divided into five equal groups (oily homogenized form of MC, powder form of MC, ointment of CA, control, pure olive oil). Full-thickness 5x5 cm skin wounds were created on the right mid-dorsum area and experimental groups were treated daily with the above mentioned extracts. Wounds were observed daily. Planimetry was performed for the unhealed wound area and the percentage of total wound healing on days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28. Median time for the first observable granulation tissue was shorter in all experimental groups than in the control group (P