Wound-healing Activity of the Aqueous Leaf Extract and Fractions of Ficus exasperata (Moraceae) and its Safety Evaluation on Albino Rats.
Ficus exasperata have been reported to have wide applications in the treatment of many human diseases. However, its traditional use in the treatment of wounds has not been validated by any scientific study. Also, its safety in the management of chronic disease conditions requires attention. We evaluated the wound-healing activity of the aqueous extract and fractions of F. exasperata, as well as its safety after subchronic oral administration. Similar percentage of wound contraction was observed with 5% w/w extract ointment application and administration of cicatrin powder (standard) on the 4(th) day, while better contraction than the standard was recorded with higher concentrations of the extract ointment. Of all the fractions tested, significant (P < 0.05) contraction was only noticed in chloroform fraction, though lower than that of the aqueous extract. The extract also showed concentration-dependent inhibition of all the tested microbial isolates. Extract administered up to 5000 mg/kg (single dose administration) did not cause any mortality after 24 h. Mortality was, however, recorded at 4000 mg/kg within the first 20 days of subchronic administration of the extract. Significant (P < 0.05) increases in alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), and in particular, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were observed at different doses and time periods. Pathological and histological changes were noticed in the liver and kidney on the 91(st) day of the study with 4000 mg/kg of the extract. Except for the significant (P < 0.05) reduction in WBC on the 91(st) day, no other significant (P < 0.05) changes were observed in other hematological parameters. The aqueous extract demonstrated better wound-healing activity than its fractions; however, the extract may not be safe at higher doses for subchronic oral administration, as may be the case in the management of chronic disease conditions.
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Victoria Nonyelum
VN
Umeh
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Emmanuel Emeka
EE
Ilodigwe
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Daniel Lotanna
DL
Ajaghaku
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria.
Earnest Oghenesuvwe
EO
Erhirhie
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria.
Goodies Emuesiri
GE
Moke
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
Peter Achunike
PA
Akah
Chronic diseases; Ficus exasperata; Hematological parameters; Liver enzymes; Toxicity; Wound healing