Evaluation of Wound Healing Potential of Some Indian Herbal Extracts and it’s Formulation in Acne Vulgaris

Objective:Butea monosperma, Barleria prionitis, Casuarina equisetifolia, Dalbergia sissoo, and Lagenaria siceraria are reported to possess anti-acne, anti-infl ammatory, anti-ulcer, and wound healing activity. The present work is aimed at evaluating the wound healing potential of these plant materials in acne vulgaris. Methodology: Individual gel formulations containing extracts of the above mentioned drugs and their polyherbal gels were evaluated by excision and incision wound model (in vivo) in Sprague Dawley rats. Results: The individual gel formulations showed signifi cant reduction in wound size when compared with the untreated group. The rates of wound closure after the application of the gels were compared with the untreated wounds. The polyherbal formulation containing all the extracts was found to be more benefi cial when compared to remaining treated groups. Healing under scab and formation of normal epithelial cells were better than other individual formulations. As well as vascular changes, cellular infi ltration, and necrosis were found less. Conclusion: From the results, it may be concluded that the plants are endowed with signifi cant wound healing activity, thereby justifying its traditional medicinal use in acne vulgaris as a separate entity and in combination. Chemical components such as tannins, fl avonoids, saponins, and alkaloids present in the extracts can be responsible for the foresaid activity.

Key words: Acne, excision model, incision model, wound healing.