Wound healing potential of Dodonaea viscosa extract formulation in experimental animals

Abstract

Background & objectives: Dodonaea viscosa is one of the natural medications utilized in Saudi Arabia for treatment of several diseases and disorders. Prior investigations have revealed its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In the present study, the chloroform and methanolic extracts of Dodonaea viscosa were formulated as ointments using the emulsifying base and its wound healing property was determined in animal models. Materials and methods: The dried leaves of Dodonaea viscosa was macerated in methanol and chloroform solvents to obtain respective solvent extracts. Both the extracts were subjected for phytochemical investigation. A 10% w/w herbal ointment of the extracts were formulated and their physicochemical properties; color and odor, loss on drying, pH, and spreadability were evaluated. Further, both the formulations were tested for stability studies. The wound healing activity of individual herbal formulations were studied in Sprague Dawley rats using incision and excision wound models. The application of ointment was done topically once every day up to the end of the healing of the wound. The epithelization period in the excision wound model and tensile strength in the incision wound model were assessed to determine the wound-healing effects. Results: Methanolic and chloroform extracts of Dodonaea viscosa leaves have flavonoids and saponins in addition to other phytochemicals. All the evaluated physicochemical properties of both the formulations were within ideal cutoff points and they remained stable. In comparison with control and base groups, methanolic extract formulation took significantly (p < 0.001) less time for epithelization of the excision wound. A significant (p < 0.001) increase in the tensile strength was observed in the incision wound model in group of animals treated with either methanolic or chloroform extract formulations when compared with other groups. Interpretation & conclusion: It was evident from the results that the extracts had the potential for use as wound healing agents. The wound healing potency of the extracts could be an element of either the individual bioactive constituents or synergistic impact of number of active molecules present in the extract.

Keywords

• Dodonaea viscosa
• Epithelization
• Tensile strength
• Excision wound
• Incision wound