Antioxidant, Antimicrobial And Wound Healing Activity Of Salvadora persica Twig Extracts

Abstract

Wound healing is a complex multifactorial process that results in the contraction and closure of the wound and restoration of a functional barrier. Salvadora persica, commonly known as Miswak was found to contain constituents such as tannins, saponins, flavonoids and sterols. Hence it is thought to evaluate wound healing activity of Salvadora persica since phytoconstituents like tannins, saponins and flavonoids are known to promote the wound healing process due to their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Salvadora persica extracts were studied to understand mechanism of wound healing process. Total phenolic content (TPC) was estimated to screen the prepared extracts by using Folin-Ciocalteu phenol reagent method. Methanol extract showing highest TPC was undertaken for detailed antioxidant, antimicrobial and wound healing activities. Methanol extract showed moderate antioxidant activity on scavenging DPPH, ABTS radicals and by pyrogallol red bleaching method. Methanol extract also showed antimicrobial activity against wound pathogens by agar diffusion method. Methanol extract was formulated into gel and wound healing activity of gel was evaluated using incision and excision wound models in rats. Topical application of prepared gel on the excision wound in rats caused higher rate of contraction and reduced the period of epithelialization when compared to control group animals. In incision wound model, breaking strength of animals treated with the gel containing methanol extract of Miswak twig was found to be significantly (p < 0.001) higher as compared to the control group animals. Hence, the present study revealed that gel containing methanol extract of Miswak twig possess wound healing activity.