WOUND HEALING ACTIVITY OF JATROPHA TANJORENSIS LEAVES

Abstract

The term “wound” is defined as a disruption of normal anatomical structure. Therefore, “healing” is the complex and dynamic process that results in the restoration of anatomical continuity and function. Albino Wistar rats (150-180 g) of both sexes were selected. The experiment of Wound Healing Activity by Excision Wound Model and Incision Wound Model by the simple ointment B.P., reference standard drug (0.2% w/w nitrofurazone ointment), stigmasterol ointment (0.2% w/w), hexane, chloroform and methanol extract ointments of 3%, 4% and 5% w/w of leaves in Jatropha tanjorensis in simple ointment base (where 3g, 4g and 5 g of the extracts was incorporated in 100 g of simple ointment separately). The time for wound closure to methanol extract ointment (5% w/w) and stigmasterol (0.2% w/w) was similar to that of standard drug, nitrofurazone ointment (0.2% w/w) 16 ± 2 days in Excision Wound Model. The significant tensile strength at 3%: 4%: 5% w/w methanol extract ointments (p<0.001), followed by chloroform extract and hexane extract. Stigmasterol ointment at 0.2% w/w produced tensile strength comparable with Standard drug, nitrofurazone ointment (0.2% w/w) (p<0.001) in Incision Wound Model. Kirithikar and basu stated that the juice of the Jatropha plant and the pounded leaves are applied to wounds and refractory ulcers. The juice is very successfully used to treat scabies, eczema and ringworm. The present study proved that the leaves have wound healing activity.