Effect of Moringa oleifera Lam. on normal and dexamethasone suppressed wound healing

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate aqueous extract of bark of Moringa oleifera for normal wound healing and dexamethasone suppressed wound healing using incision, excision and dead space wound models in Wistar rats. MethodsIn incision and dead space the extracts were applied daily topically till the 10th post wounding days while in excision model it was till the complete epithelialization process. Standard group were treated with Povidone iodine ointment topically daily. The breaking strength, percentage of wound contraction, period of epithelialization, dry granulation weight and hydroxyproline content were observed. ResultsThe aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera significantly increased the wound breaking strength in incision wound model. The aqueous extract treated wounds were found to epithelize faster and the rate of wound contraction was significantly increased as compared to control wounds. Significant increase in granulation breaking strength and hydroxyproline content in dead space wound was observed. The aqueous extract significantly decreased the antihealing activities of dexamethasone in all the wound models. ConclusionsThe results indicated that the aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera promotes wound healing significantly and able to overcome the wound healing suppressing action of dexamethasone.