title: [Extract from Passiflora edulis on the healing of open wounds in rats: morphometric and histological study].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Brazilian countryside, cataplasm made from Passiflora edulis leaves has been used by the population as a healing agent for infections and skin inflammations in an empiric basis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  the aim of this work was to evaluate the healing process of open wounds in rats, in which Passiflora edulis hydro-alcoholic extract was applied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty male, adult Wistar rats were divided into two groups: Passiflora group and Control group. Rats of the first group were treated with Passiflora edulis extract, and those of the second group received distilled water. The daily application of the extract or distilled water was carried out on a 2 cm diameter standardized circular wound on the dorsal region of each animal. Wound assessment was performed macroscopically and microscopically on the 7th, 14th, and 21st postoperative days. Microscopic analysis included hematoxylin-eosine and Masson Trichromium stains, evaluating inflammatory response, fibroplasia and collagen deposition. The wound retraction was evaluated by digital planimetry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant difference in the rate of wound healing was detected comparing both groups. However, a significant increase in the number of fibroblastic cells was seen on the 7th PO day, and significantly greater collagen deposition was observed on the 14th day PO day in rats from the Passiflora group (p=0,012).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The application of the Passiflora edulis extract does not accelerate the healing process of open wounds in rats, but is associated with increased number of fibroblastic cells on 7th P.O. day and greater collagen deposition on the 14th PO day.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Maranhao.
authors.forename: Inaldo de Castro
authors.initials: Ide C
authors.lastname: Garros
authors.forename: Antonio Carlos L
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: Elizabeth Milla
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Tâmbara
authors.forename: Sérgio Bernardo
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Tenório
authors.forename: Orlando Jorge Martins
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: Miguel Angelo
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Agulham
authors.forename: Allan Cezar Faria
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.forename: Paola Maria Brolin
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Santis-Isolan
authors.forename: Rohnelt Machado de
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Elaine Cristina de Moraes
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Arruda
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003106:Colon / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D029598:Passiflora / Q000737:chemistry*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013718:Tensile Strength / Q000187:drug effects; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts