Evaluation of Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Hydroalcoholic Leaf Extract of Fresen (Ranunculaceae).

Introduction: is one of the most widely used medicinal plant for the treatment of wound traditionally. However, its claim was not scientifically tested, the current study therefore assessed the anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties of 80% methanol leaf extract of .

Methods: The dried and powdered leaf of was macerated with 80% methanol. The topical ointment was then made in two concentrations (5% and 10% w/w), and two models, excision and incision, were used to test the extract's capacity to treat wounds in mice. In addition, anti-inflammatory test was also conducted using carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model in three doses (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) in rats. The DPPH test was used to determine the extract's anti-oxidant properties where ascorbic acid was used as standard agent.

Results: When wounds were treated with ointments containing 5% and 10% (w/w) extract, the rate of wound contraction, the length of time it took for the epithelium to form, and the strength of the skin to break were all significantly increased (p < 0.05). There was no discernible difference in wound healing activity between the 10% (w/w) and 5% (w/w) extracts. Moreover, they had also similar impact as that of the positive control nitrofurazone in wound healing activity. Compared to the negative control, extract considerably (p < 0.01-p < 0.001) reduced inflammation. The extract also demonstrated antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 0.7 mg/mL for the extract and 1.04 mg/mL for ascorbic acid, respectively.

Conclusion: Overall, it is plausible to draw the conclusion that 80% methanol extract possesses wound healing activity, perhaps as a result of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.