Natural herbal remedies have always been important in the management of skin disorders and the treatment of skin infections due to limited access to pharmaceuticals and the affordable cost of herbal products. K. Pinnata is a plant used as a medicinal herb by almost all traditional medicines in tropical Africa. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the antioxidant and healing properties of K. pinnata (Lam) pers extract from Togolese flora. The hydroethanol extract of K. pinnata (Lam) pers was subjected to in vitro antioxidant activity screening models, such as molybdate reduction, iron reduction assay (FRAP) and DPPH radical scavenging assay. A 1.5 cm diameter excision wound model was also used to assess the plant's healing activity. Wistar rats were treated after excision by topical application of vaseline, vaseline supplemented with 3% (EHKP 3%) and 10% (EHKP 10%) hydroethanol extract of K. pinnata (Lam) pers leaves, sulfadiazine (reference), or no treatment (negative control). Total antioxidant activity by the molybdate reduction method was 0.12 ± 0.01 µg EAA/mg EL, while the iron reduction assay (FRAP) showed an antioxidant capacity of 4.21 ± 0.04 mol Eq FeS04/ g extract and 10.17 ± 0.03 mol Eq FeS04/ g extract respectively for extract concentrations of 100 µg/ml and 200 µg/ml. In addition, the extract showed a dose-dependent ability to trap the DPPH radical. Results showed a significant reduction in wound surface area in animals treated with 10% EHKP. The hydroxyproline assay showed a significant difference in collagen production in animals treated with 10% EHKP, compared with the control group (P < 0.001) and the vaseline group (P < 0.01) on the last day. Histological analysis showed rapid re-epithelialization in animals treated with the extracts. Keywords: K. pinnata, Antioxidant activity, Healing activity, Hydroxyproline
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