title: Topically applied Tetrapleura tetraptera stem-bark extract promotes healing of excision and incision wounds in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the present study was to evaluate the in vivo wound healing effect of water extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera in stem-bark.
  
  
  METHODS
  The healing activity was studied in 40 male rats using excision and incision wounds on normal and dexamethasone-suppressed wound healing. For each model, rats were divided in four groups as follows: control, dexamethasone, T. tetraptera and dexamethasone combined with T. tetraptera.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data recorded exhibited a significant effect by the extract in the epithelialization time within 14 and 18 days of the normal and dexamethasone-induced healing delay rats, respectively (P < 0.05). The extract also significantly increased the wound tensile strength in dexamethasone treated rats. Histological examination of incision wounds of the extract-treated group showed many fibroblasts and the same rats presented significant cutaneous tensile strength, suggesting important collagen crosslinkage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study illustrated an excellent potential of the bark of T. tetraptera therapy on dermal wound healing with a possible mechanism of action related to epithelialization, contraction, and tensile strength improvement.
authors.affiliation: 'Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Maroua, Maroua, Cameroon.
authors.forename: David Emery
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Tsala
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacognosy Research Laboratories, Medway School of Science, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Chatham, Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK.
authors.forename: Solomon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Habtemariam
authors.affiliation: 'Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Maroua, Maroua, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Foyet Harquin
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Simplice
authors.affiliation: 'Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Maroua, Maroua, Cameroon ; Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Bella Ndzana
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Martin Thierry
authors.affiliation: Department of Earth and Life Sciences, Higher Teachers' Training College, University of Maroua, Maroua, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Jital Abraham
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Dimo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Theophile
keywords: Epithelialization; Tetrapleura tetraptera; excision wound; incision wound; skin; tensile strength