Exploration of antimicrobial and wound healing activities using ethanolic leaf extract gel of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis on rabbits

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the anti-microbial and wound healing activities of Nyctanthes arbor-titris leaves extract gel on rabbits. The leaf extracts of the plant were tested for their in vitro antimicrobial activity by agar well diffusion method with different concentrations. Animals in group 1 were without treatment and served as control (Carbapol gel base). Animals in group 2 received the 5% w/v N. arbor-tristis leaf gel extract base. Animals in group 3 received 10% w/v N. arbor-tristis gel extract base. Animals in group 4 received gel containing betadine Gel was applied on the wound once daily up to 14-15 days starting from the second day of wounding. The prepared gel was characterized for its physicochemical constants, preliminary phytochemical analysis, spreadability, pH. Carbopol 934 was tried and finally, the gel which showed good spreadability and pH was selected for wound healing property of herbal gel of N. arbor-tristis. Gel formulation prepared with a 10% N. arbor-tristis exhibited a response in terms of wound epithelialization, angiogenesis and number of hair follicles at wound area better than the gel base on the 15th day post-wound day. Application of gel base produced further advantages by increasing hydroxyproline content and collagen fiber thickness. This study explored the wound healing potential of a gel containing 10% N. arbor-tristis through topical application of total extract in a model of excisional wound healing in rabbits.

Keywords: Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, anti-microbial, wound healing, extract gel, excision, agar well diffusion.

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