title: Topical aqueous extract of Ephedra alata can improve wound healing in an animal model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ephedra alata (E. alata) is perennial tough shrub plant that grows in Palestine and other regions. It is used often in folk's medicine for the treatment of various diseases. In this project, E. alata extract was tested for its ability to improve wound and burn healing.
  
  
  METHODS
  An aqueous extract of E. alata was prepared and underwent several phytochemical analyses for the presence of the major classes of phytochemical compounds. After that, a polyethylene glycol-based ointment containing the extract of E. alata was prepared and its wound and burn healing activities were tested in-vivo using an animal model for deep wound and full thickness skin burn. The effect was compared against a placebo ointment. Skin biopsies were evaluated by a blinded clinical histopathologist, in addition to digital analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Phytochemical analysis demonstrated the presence of the major classes of phytochemical compounds in the prepared extract including flavonoids, alkaloids, phytosteroids, phenolic compounds, volatile oils and tannins. As compared to placebo ointment, E. alata ointment significantly improved the healing of the wound ulcers, whereas it showed no advantage on the quality of the healing of burn ulcers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  E. alata extract is rich in phytochemical compounds and can improve wound healing when applied topically.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus - P.O. Box 7, Palestine. Electronic address: naim.kittana@najah.edu.
authors.forename: Naim
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kittana
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus - P.O. Box 7, Palestine.
authors.forename: Hanood
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abu-Rass
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus - P.O. Box 7, Palestine.
authors.forename: Ruba
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sabra
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus - P.O. Box 7, Palestine.
authors.forename: Lama
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Manasra
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus - P.O. Box 7, Palestine.
authors.forename: Hadeel
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hanany
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus - P.O. Box 7, Palestine.
authors.forename: Nidal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jaradat
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus - P.O. Box 7, Palestine.
authors.forename: Fatima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hussein
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus - P.O. Box 7, Palestine.
authors.forename: Abdel Naser
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Zaid
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002056:Burns / Q000188:drug therapy; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D029789:Ephedra / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D009824:Ointments; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D009824:Ointments; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Burns; Ephedra alata; Phytochemicals; Ulcer; Wound healing