Contact Dermatitis like Skin Lesion: A Dermal Toxicity of Formaldehyde Treated by Phytomedicine Extracted from Woodfordia fructicosa and Gardenia gummifera

Abstract

Introduction: Woodfordia fructicosa and Gardenia gummifera are traditionally claimed to be useful in treatment of number of skin diseases. However, there are no established scientific reports for their potential in contact dermatitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the phytomedicine formulated from extract of Woodfordia fructicosa flowers and Gardenia gummifera leaves in dermatitis lesion induced by formaldehyde in rats. However, there are no established scientific reports for their potential in dermatitis. Methodology: For induction of dermatitis lesion, 0.1 ml formaldehyde (37%) was topically applied for 10 days on the dorsal surface of the skin of Wistar albino rats. Therapeutic effect of phytomedicine was evaluated after the induction of dermatitis lesion. Formulated gel and suspension were treated once daily for 16 days and analyzed for macroscopic features (severity index), histological study (epidermal thickness and other features) and biochemical estimation (hydroxyproline content). Results: Percent reduction in the severity index in macroscopic study, decreased epidermal thickness in microscopic study and increased hydroxyproline content in biochemical estimation were observed in formulation treated dermatitis lesion as compared to vehicle treated animals. Conclusion: The preliminary in vivo study concludes that extractive phytoconstituents of Woodfordia fructicosa flowers and Gardenia gummifera leaves might be a novel therapeutic approach in treating contact dermatitis as prepared formulations possess potent anti- dermatitis activity.

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