Evaluation of Wound Healing Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Curcuma longa Rhizomes in Male Albino Rats

Skin plays a vital role in maintaining health of human being. Most of the diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms. Some of them include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococci, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Wounds are major responsible for physical disabilities. Wound healing consists of orderly progression of series of stages that establish the integrity of the damaged tissues. Wound disease spread by the invasion of bacteria inside the body through skin. Bacterial infections on skin are the common ailment for generation of other diseases in the body. Wound infections represent the invasion of tissues by number of species of microorganisms. These infections disturb the body immune system and causes inflammation, tissue damage and delayed wound healing process. Rhizomes of Curcuma longa (Turmeric) are used for various medicinal purposes. It possesses antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-hepatotoxic (liver protective) and anti-allergic properties. Ayurvedic texts have additionally described it to be good for skin ailments and also as a blood purifier, wound cleanser, healer, remover of body toxins, killer of abdominal worms and a wind-repellent agent etc. The present study was undertaken on evaluation of ethanolic extract of Curcuma longa (Turmeric) rhizomes for wound healing activity through topical route on excision wound model. The activity was compared with standard drug Povidone Iodine ointment (5% w/w). Ethanolic extract of Curcuma longa (Turmeric) rhizomes was found to have better and faster wound healing effect than standard drug Povidone Iodine ointment on excision wound model. This article throws light on wound healing activity of ethanolic extract of Curcuma longa rhizomes.