Wound-healing potential of topical application of preparations from Noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) leaf extract

Abstract

Developing products derived from medicinal herbs with wound-healing effects has been a current trend. This study was set up to observe the wound healing efficiency of herbal preparations formulated from M. citrifolia leaf extract on mice. The wound healing activity of cream, ointment, and powder preparations containing Noni leaf extract of 1% and 5% ( w/w ) was investigated on the excision wound model. The potential preparation was continuously evaluated for rabbit skin irritation, antioxidant activity, total flavonoid, and rutin contents. Results revealed that the topical application of Noni leaf extract preparations treated groups increased remarkably wound contraction during 11 days of treatment. A cream containing 1% extract not only had the ability to significantly reduce the size of the wound but also regenerated the structure of the skin histology at the wound area. Moreover, the cream showed safety following an acute dermal irritation study on rabbits as well as an antioxidant effect via inhibition of DPPH and ABTS free radicals. The present study also identified the content of total flavonoids and rutin markers in the cream. This research affirms the topical application of the cream containing M. citrifolia leaf extract as a known wound healing factor from traditional medicine.