Effects of ethanolic extract of Linn. flowers on wound healing in diabetic albino rats.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate wound healing activity of ethanolic extract of Linn. () flowers in diabetic rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Streptozotocin-induced diabetic albino rats were divided into six groups (n=6).Three groups - diabetic control, positive control (that received Glibenclamide) and treatment (that received Linn. Flower extract) were operated for excision wounds (EW). These groups were evaluated for wound contraction and re-epithelization. The other three groups were operated for incision wounds (IW) and dead space wounds (DW). Incision and dead space wounds were produced in the same rats. IWs were analyzed for wound breaking strength and the granulation tissues from DWs were analyzed for dry weight, hydroxyproline content, and histology.

RESULTS

IWs and DWs showed significant improvement in wound breaking strength (265.8±10.4 vs 332.5±8.2; p<0.05), granulation tissue dry weight (26.1±0.6vs 40.4±0.3; p<0.01) and hydroxyproline content (19.3±0.5 vs 32.6±0.8; p<0.01) in treatment group as compared to control group. Neo-angiogenesis was also high in treatment group. Wound contraction was earlier (day 14) in treatment group compared to diabetic control (day 20). No significant improvement was seen in re-epithelization in treatment group.

CONCLUSION

Ethanolic extract of Linn. flowers increases granulation tissue formation as well as neo-angiogenesis. It also enhances wound contraction; however, re-epithelization was not significantly affected. Linn. flowers could be potentially effective in promotion of diabetic wounds healing by increasing granulation tissue formation and enhancing wound contraction; however, further studies are required for its clinical application.