Effect of the water extract of the four o’clock herb (Mirabilis Jalapa L.) on the healing of open wounds in rats

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the effect on wound healing following treatment with a water extract of Mirabilis jalapa L. by investigating wound contraction and the associated histopathological changes in rat skin. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups, namely negative control, positive control (povidone-iodine), dose 1, dose 2, and dose 3. A 20-×10-mm rectangular wound area was created for the test. In dose 1, 2, and 3 groups, the corresponding dose variation of a 0.5-mL M. jalapa L. water extract (dose 1: 5% v/v, ≈243.1 mg/kg body weight BW; dose 2: 10% v/v, ≈486.2 mg/kg BW; and dose 3: 20% v/v, ≈972.4 mg/kg BW) was topically applied for 14 days on open wounds of rats. Widespread wound contractions were measured on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13, and histopathological changes in the skin were observed on day 15 using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results: The M. jalapa L. water extract accelerated wound healing. The optimal dose was found to be 20% v/v (≈972.4 mg/kg BW). Conclusion: M. jalapa L. extracts are potential healing agents for open wounds.