Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of topical application of ethanol extract ofStrobilanthes crispus leaf on the rate of wound healing closure and histology of healed wound. Four groups of male Sprague Dawley rats, all were experimentally wound in the posterior neck area. An area of uniform wound 2 cm in diameter using circular stamp, was excised from the nape of the dorsal neck of all rats with the aid of round seal. The animal groups were topically treated respectively with 0.2 ml of each vehicle (gum acacia), intrasite gel, 100 and 200 mg/ml of ethanol extract. Macroscopically, wound dressed with leaf extract and intrasite gel-treated group significantly healed earlier than those treated with vehicle. Histological analysis of healed wounds dresses with leaf extract showed comparatively less scar width at wound closure and healed wound contained less inflammatory cells and more collagen with angiogenesis compared to wounds dressed with vehicle. In conclusion, wounds dressed with leaf extract significantly enhanced the acceleration of wound healing enclosure in rats, and this was ascertain by histological study.

Key words: Strobilanthes crispus leaf, ethanol extract, wound healing, histology.