Assessment of the phytoconstituents and optimal applicable concentration of aqueous extract of azadirachta indica leaves for wound healing in male wistar rats

Abstract

Background/Aim: Plant-based medicinal agents containing phytoconstituents like extracts of Azadirachta indica leaves has been reported to heal wounds. This study evaluated the phytoconstituents and determined the optimal concentration of the aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica leaves (AEAIL) affecting wound healing in male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: AEAIL was evaluated for phytoconstituents using GC-FID. Wounds (diameter ≈1.5cm) was excised on the dorsum of 35 rats (7 groups, n = 5). Groups 1-6 were treated topically with 0.5, 1.5, 3.0, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0% w/v of AEAIL respectively. Group 7 was treated with distilled water as the control. Wound contractions were measured daily. Assay of tissue hydroxyproline levels was evaluated (Bergman and Loxley method) using a hydroxyproline assay kit. Results: The phytoconstituents identified were under alkaloids, flavonoids, phenol and polyphenols. The highest and lowest mean tissue hydroxyproline levels were obtained with 1.5 and 3.0% w/v of AEAIL exhibiting the respective differences of 54.75 and 2.82% against the control, depicting the optimal concentration of AEAIL for wound healing as 1.5% w/v. Conclusion: AEAIL contains abundant useful phytoconstituents and possesses potent wound healing properties. A 1.5% w/v of it is the optimal effective concentration for wound healing.