Evaluation of wound healing potential of the leaves and stem bark extracts of <i>Irvingia gabonensis</i> (aubrylecomte ex o'rorke) bail. in rats

Abstract

Background: Irvingia gabonensis has been used in  traditional medicine for treating pain, sores and wounds.
Objective: The study evaluated the wound healing potential of I. gabonensis leaves (IGLE) and stem bark extracts (IGSBE) on excision wound model rats. Premilinary phytochemical analysis of the leaves and stem bark were investigated.
Methods: Excision of wounds was inflicted on the dorsal thoracic region of Wistar rats. Six groups (n=5) received treatment topically until complete wound epithelization. Group I were untreated (control), group II and III treated with 400 mg/kg and 800mg/kg body weight (bwt) of IGLE respectively, group IV and V treated with 400mg/kg and 800mg/kg bwt of IGSBE respectively, and group VI treated with 0.1% Gentamycin ointment. The percentage wound contractions and epithelization period were assessed. Phytochemical screening of the leaves and stem bark were performed using standard methods.
Results: Phytochemicals present in Irvingia gabonensis are flavonoid, tannins, alkaloid, saponins, and anthraquinones. On day 15, rats treated with 800mg/kg and 400mg/kg of IGLE and IGSBE possess significant wound healing activity IGLE (100.00% ± 0.32, 97.15% ± 0.16), IGSBE (96.62% ± 0.12, 93.63% ±0.02, p < 0.05) respectively which was evidenced by an increase in the rate of wound contraction and a reduction in epithelization period as compared with the control (78.30% ± 0.50).
Conclusion: The wound healing potential of Irvingia gabonensis is in agreement with its ethnomedicinal claim for treating wounds.