Investigation of wound healing effect of topical gel of Albizia amara leaves extract

Abstract

Extracts of the leaves, roots, stem, seeds and bark of Albizia amara have been scientifically proven to have certain anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities. They were also indicated in traditional folk medicine for treatment of wounds, abscesses, boils and dandruff. The purpose of this study is to experimentally prove the wound healing efficiency of A. amara leaves extract in Wistar rats with excision wound models, for the first time. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of A. amara leaves were obtained by Soxhlet extraction and subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening, which confirmed the presence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, phenols and tannins. The GC–MS results showed the presence of n-hexadeconoic acid and phytol in significant amounts that contribute majorly for wound healing activity. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts exhibited significant anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in vitro determined by reducing power assay and red blood cell membrane stabilization assay, respectively. Topical gels were formulated using different polymers, wherein 1% Carbopol gel containing the extract was identified with optimum pH and gel viscosity as 5,00,000 cP at shear rate of 1.5 s−1 and considered suitable for the in vivo wound healing study in Wistar rats. The animals were divided into five groups and treated with topical application of standard povidone-iodine ointment, plain gel vehicle base, gels incorporated with extract at low, medium and high doses of extract, respectively. The healing process was dose-dependent with respect to the concentrations of the plant extract. The animals treated with the gel containing the extract showed greater wound healing effect compared to standard povidone treated (P < .05) groups. Therefore, topical gel prepared with 1% carbopol and 15% Albizia amara leaves extract exhibited potential wound healing activity in excision type of wounds.