Study of Wound Healing Activity and Skin Irritation of Chili Leaves (Capsicum frutescens L.) Gel in Rats (Rattus novergicus)

Abstract

Chili pepper leaves have been used empirically as wound healing caused by sharp objects. Several studies show its antibacterial and wound healing activity. This study aims to make gel from chili leaves extract, then to determine its wound healing activity and its irritating properties on rat’s skin. Gel was made using variations type and concentration of gelling agent, consist of carbopol 0.5%, 0.75%, 1% and hydroxypropylmetlcellulose at 2.5%, 5% and 7.5% respectively. Cycling test then conducts to determined its physical stability. Gel that physically stable then evaluated its activity as a wound healer and skin irritation test. Results showed that all formula has no altered on organoleptic properties and pH value. Gel that made from 0.5% carbopol (F2) and 7.5% of HMPC (F5) has no change in spreadability and adhesion properties. Based on statistically analysis using paired t-test and one-way ANOVA, it concludes that F2 and F5 physically stable and could follow wound healer evaluation. Wound healer evaluation show that healing time (days) of carbopol base gel (F2) is 10.2±1.26, HPMC based gel is 8±0.82. Length of incision wound (cm) at the 8th day are 0.5±0.183 for F2 and 0.06±0.071 for F5. Statistically analysis of healing time (p<0.01) and wound length (p<0.05) show that F5 that contain 5% HPMC has significantly different compare to negative control. The results of the irritation test showed that gel formulas not caused erythema and edema on rat’s skin. It can be concluded that gel of chili pepper leave extract that made with 5% of HPMC has wound healing activity and safety to use.