Wound healing activity of the hydro alcoholic extract of Ficus religiosa leaves in rats

Abstract

The leaves of Ficus religiosa are used traditionally in the folklore for the treatment of various kinds of wounds. The present study was undertaken to verify the effect of hydro alcoholic extract of Ficus religiosa leaves on experimentally induced wounds in rats in excision wound, incision wound and burn wound models. A formulation of leaves extract was prepared in emulsifying ointment at a concentration of 5% & 10% and applied to the wounds. In the excision wound and the burn wound models the extract showed significant decrease in the period of epithelization and in wound contraction (50%). A significant increase in the breaking strength was observed in the incision wound model when compared to the control. The result suggests that leaf extract of Ficus religiosa (both 5% and 10%) applied topically possess dose dependent wound healing activity.