Wound healing potential of Launaea pinnatiϔida Cass leaf juice in rats

Abstract

Launaea pinnatifida is a procumbent herb native to the coastal area and found throughout India and many other countries. It is utilized as a dietary plant in the preparation of various dishes in the Maldives. Traditionally it is used for the treatment of skin injuries and is reported to contain flavonoids, steroids, glycosides, tannins, saponins etc. As no scientific work has been found to be published related to wound healing potential of the L. pinnatifida plant, the present study investigated the effects of dried leaf juice of L. pinnatifida on wound healing property in rats using various wound models. In result analysis, the wound contraction percentage was found to be increased and the scar area and epithelization time were found to be decreased when 3 % ointment L. pinnatifida leaf juice was applied topically. Similarly, with incision and dead space wound models, wound breaking strength and hydroxyproline levels were found to be increased. So, Launaea pinnatifida leaf juice showed significant wound healing activity in all wound models, which supports its claim for being used traditionally in skin diseases.