Wound Healing Activity of the Leaves of Thespesia populnea

Objective: To screen the wound healing activity of petroleum ether, alcohol and aqueous extracts of leaves of Thespesia populnea on excision and incision wound models in albino rats. Materials and methods: The different extracts of the leaves of Thespesia populnea are obtained by successive soxhlet extraction with petroleum ether, alcohol and aqueous were subjected to acute toxicity studies. The extracts were screened for wound healing properties in the excision and incision wound models in albino rats of either sex under light ether anesthesia. Result: All the three extracts showed significant increase in wound contraction and formation of scar in excision wound model. These extracts showed significant increase in the breaking strength of resutured incision wound as compared to control group (P<0.001). Glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, and phytosterols have been reported to be present in leaves of T. populnea. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that aqueous extract of T. populnea leaves has more significant wound healing property than the petroleum ether and alcoholic extracts in excision and incision wound models. The presence of flavonoids, alkaloids and phytosterols in the leaves of the plant may be responsible for wound healing activity.