Evaluation of the wound-healing potential of Amaranthus viridis (Linn.) in experimentally induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the wound-healing potential of the ethanolic extract of Amaranthus (A.) viridis leaves in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced by the administration of a single injection of alloxan monohydrate (120 mg/kg, i.p.) prepared in citrate buffer to experimental animals. The wound-healing activity was evaluated by three methods: excision, incision, and dead space wound models. The diabetic animals were divided into fi ve groups, as follows: Group I, which received alloxan treatment only (diabetic control); Group II, which received topical mupirocin ointment (2% w/w) (standard); Groups III, IV, and V, which were treated with ointments prepared from A. viridis extract of 2%, 5%, and 10% w/w, respectively, daily (test groups) till the wounds completely healed. Wound-healing parameters such as the rate of wound contraction, epithelization, tensile strength, and concentration of hydroxyproline content were measured and compared with diabetic control using oneway analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Dunnett’s test. Results: Rats treated with the prepared ointments of A. viridis extract had shown a signifi cant (P < 0.01) increase in the percentage of wound closure, tensile strength, and hydroxyproline content of the granulation tissue when compared with the diabetic control, in a dose-dependent pattern. Conclusion: These fi ndings demonstrated that the ointments of A. viridis leaf extract effectively stimulate wound contraction and accelerate wound healing in diabetic rats.