Antibacterial, antioxidant and fibroblast growth stimulation of aqueous extracts of Ficus asperifolia Miq. and Gossypium arboreum L., wound-healing plants of Ghana

Aim of the study: Use of in vitro tests to search for relevant activities in bark of Ficus asperifolia Miq. and leaves of Gossypium arboreum L, used in Ghana for wound healing. Materials and methods: Aqueous extracts of the relevant parts of the two species were tested for antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus flavus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus SA1199B, RN4220 and XU212. The effects of the plants on fibroblast growth stimulation as well as antioxidant protective effect against hydrogen peroxide induced damage in the same cell line were also studied. Results: The extracts of Gossypium arboreum and Ficus asperifolia had weak antibacterial action against all bacteria tested. The extracts of the two plants had significant (p < 0.001) effects on the growth of human dermal fibroblast at 50 mu g/ml and lower. They also significantly protected fibroblast cells against oxidative damage at doses up to 50 mu g/ml. Gossypium arboreum leaf extract displayed the higher activity. Conclusion: The stimulatory effect on fibroblast growth and protection against peroxide-induced oxidative damage give some support to the traditional use of these two plants as wound-healing agents. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.