Wound healing potential of methanolic extract of Trichosanthes dioica Roxb (fruits) in rats

Aim of the study: The present study provides a scientific evaluation for the wound healing potential of methanolic (MeOH) extract of TDR fruits. Materials and methods: Excision and incision wounds were inflicted upon three groups of six rats each. Group I was assigned as control (ointment base), Group II was treated with standard silver sulfadiazine (0.01%) cream. Group III was treated with 5% MeOH extract ointment. The parameters observed were percentage of wound contraction, epithelialization period, hydroxyproline content, tensile strength including histopathological studies. Results: It was noted that the effect produced by the extract ointment showed significant (P < 0.01) healing in both the wound models when compared with control group. All parameters such as wound contraction, epithelialization period, hydroxyproline content, tensile strength and histopathological studies showed significant changes when compared to control. Conclusion: The result shows that TDR extract ointment demonstrates wound healing potential in both excision and incision models. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.