Wound healing activity of an herbal ointment containing the leaf extract of Ziziphus Mauritiana Lam.

A large number of plants are used by folklore traditions in India for treatment of cuts, wounds and burns. Particularly, the leaves of Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. (Family: Rhamnaceae) have been practiced on wounds for healing. The aim of the present investigation was to assess the in vivo wound healing efficacy of prepared topical formulation of 5% w/w ethanolic extract ointment and 5% w/w of aqueous extract ointment and nitrofurazone ointment (0.2% w/w) on excision wound model in Wistar albino rats. The effect produced by ointment, in terms of wound contracting ability, wound closure, decrease in surface area of wound, tissue regeneration at the wound site in treated Wistar albino rats shows that proliferation of epithelial tissue promotes angiogenesis, multiplication of fibrous connective tissue due to treatment with Z. mauritiana. Acute toxicity studies revealed the non-toxic nature of Z. mauritiana. Ethanolic extract ointment (5% w/w) of Z. mauritiana manifested 99% wound contraction on the 16th day. These results were also comparable to those of a standard drug, nitrofurazone. Topical formulation with 5% w/w ethanolic extract promoted wound contraction and reduced the wound closure time, so increase in tensile strength and wound contraction shows the wound healing potential of Z. mauritiana. Thus, the present study supports the scientific rationale for the traditional use of this plant in the management of wounds.