Evaluation of Wound Healing Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Azadirachta indica Leaves in Male Albino Rats

Skin is the important organ of the human body as it plays a vital role in maintaining health of human being. Most of the diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms. Some of the most common causative microorganisms related with infections include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococci, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Wounds are major cause of physical disabilities. Wound healing consists of orderly progression of series of events 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. Bacterial diseases are type of infectious diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria. Wound and skin infections represent the invasion of tissues by one or more species of microorganisms. These infections disturb the body immune system and causes inflammation, tissue damage and thus resulting in delayed wound healing process. Leaves of Azadirachta indica (Neem) are used for various medicinal purposes. It is useful in tiredness, cough, fever, loss of appetite, worm infestation. It heals wound, vomiting, skin diseases, heat-rash, boils, jaundice, leprosy, skin disorders, eye disorders, stomach ulcers, chicken pox, excessive thirst, diabetes and insect poisons. It act as anti-leprotic, antimalarial, anti-hemorrhoidal and anthelmintic agent. The present study was undertaken on evaluation of Azadirachta indica (Neem) leaves ethanolic extract for wound healing activity through topical route on excision wound model. The activity was compared with standard drug Povidone Iodine ointment (5% w/w). Azadirachta indica leaves ethanolic extract 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 Azadirachta indica leaves.