Assessment of Wound Healing Potentials of Dichloromethane Extract of Heterotis rotundifolia Leaves in Female Wistar Rats
Jane A. Agwu
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, RiversState, Nigeria.
Charity U. Ogunka-Nnoka
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, RiversState, Nigeria.
Ngozi F. Okoye
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, RiversState, Nigeria.
Enyinnaya A. Ogbonnaya
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, RiversState, Nigeria.
Ogechukwu E. Ezim *
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, RiversState, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of topical application of dichloromethane extract of Heterotis rotundifolia leaves on the iron,estrogen levels, haematology parameters and rate of wound healing closure. Excision wound (2cm) was induced on the dorsal skin of 75 wistar rats (176-308g) divided into five groups: control, 0.1g Vaseline, 0.1g gentamicin (reference drug), 0.1g extract+0.1g Vaseline (HRE1) and 0.2g extract+0.1g Vaseline (HRE2). At the end of days 1, 7, 14 and 21, rats were sacrificed and blood were collected for wound healing parameters. The iron level of HRE1 significantly decreased from days 1-21 with a significant difference (p<0.05) on day 14 compared to control and day 21 compared to gentamicin. Estrogen level showed a significant decrease with higher levels observed on day 7 for control and vaseline groups and on day 14 for gentamicin, HRE1 and HRE2. The haematological profile revealed an increase in PCV, Hb and RBC levels +and significant decrease in the Neutrophil concentration. Rate of wound healing (%) in HRE1 showed a higher value with complete healing compared to control and gentamicin. Heterotis rotundifolia leaves promotes dermal wound healing with blood boosting properties.
Keywords: Heterotis rotundifolia leaves, wound healing, estrogen, haematology