Wound healing potential of Elaeis guineensis Jacq leaves in an infected albino rat model.
BACKGROUND
Elaeis guineensis Jacq (Arecaceae) is one of the plants that are central to the lives of traditional societies in West Africa. It has been reported as a traditional folkloric medicine for a variety of ailments. The plant leaves are also used in some parts of Africa for wound healing, but there are no scientific reports on any wound healing activity of the plant.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of E. guineensis leaf on wound healing activity in rats.


METHODS
A phytochemical screening was done to determine the major phytochemicals in the extract. The antimicrobial activity of the extract was examined using the disk diffusion technique and broth dilution method. The wound healing activity of leaves of E. guineensiswas studied by incorporating the methanolic extract in yellow soft paraffin in concentration of 10% (w/w). Wound healing activity was studied by determining the percentage of wound closure, microbial examination of granulated skin tissue and histological analysis in the control and extract treated groups.


RESULTS
Phytochemical screening reveals the presence of tannins, alkaloids, steroids, saponins, terpenoids, and flavonoids in the extract. The extract showed significant activity against Candida albicans with an MIC value of 6.25 mg/mL. The results show that the E. guineensis extract has potent wound healing capacity, as evident from better wound closure, improved tissue regeneration at the wound site, and supporting histopathological parameters pertaining to wound healing. Assessment of granulation tissue every fourth day showed a significant reduction in microbial count.


CONCLUSIONS
E. guineensis accelerated wound healing in rats, thus supporting this traditional use.
Sasidharan
Sreenivasan
S
Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Penang, Malaysia. srisasidharan@yahoo.com
Nilawatyi
Rajoo
R
Xavier
Rathinam
R
Latha
Lachimanan Yoga
LY
Amala
Rajoo
R
D000349:Africa; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006097:Granulation Tissue; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D051381:Rats; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D010936:Plant Extracts