Wound Healing Effect of Ficus Dalhousiae Miq Stem Bark Ethanolic Extract In Excision And Incision Wounded Wistar Rats

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the wound healing effect of Ficus Dalhousiae stem bark ethanolic extract (FDSBE) by excision and incision experimental models. Wistar albino rats weighing 150 200 gm were utilised for the study. The preliminary phytochemical screening of the methanolic extract of stem bark showed the presence of various phytoconstituents namely alkaloids, flavanoids glycosides, saponins, sterols and tannins. The study was intended to evaluate the effects of topical application, three different concentrations 5%. 10% and 15% of FDSBE on the rate of wound closure and the histology of wound area. Wounds dressed with the extract and standard ointment healed significantly earlier than those with vehicle. The beneficial effect of FDSBE was evident by the progressive decrease in wound area in excision wound model (p<0.001) and decrease in tensile strength(p<0.01) in incision model Histological analysis of the wound area after 10 days showed that wounds dressed with the extract had less scar width when compared to control. The tissue contained less inflammatory cells and more collagen and angiogenesis, compared to wounds dressed with vehicle which was also supportive for the wound healing potential of the extract.