Cocos nucifera L. endosperm promotes healing of excised wound in BALB/c mice

© 2017 Marmara University Press, All Rights Reserved http://doi.org/10.12991/mpj.2018.48 Marmara Pharm J 2018;22(1): 103-109 How to cite this article: Arollado EC, Samaniego AA, Cena RB, Agapito JD, Tomagan LB, Ponsaran KMG, Manalo RAM, Dela Torre GLT. Cocos nucifera L. endosperm promotes healing of excised wound in BALB/c mice. Marmara Pharm J. 2018; 22 (1): 103-109. Corresponding Author: Erna C. AROLLADO E-mail: ecarollado@up.edu.ph Phone: (+632) 5772001 ORCID No: 0000-0003-1997-4609 Received: 02.08.2017 / Accepted: 08.11.2017 ABSTRACT: Mature endosperm of Cocos nucifera L. (family Arecaceae) has been used in folkloric medicine as wound healing agent. However, valuable scientific evidence of its traditional use has not yet been verified. This study evaluates the wound healing activity of C. nucifera endosperm on the excised wound in BALB/c mice. Three concentrations (30%, 60% and 90%) of C. nucifera endosperm were prepared as ointment using petroleum jelly as base. The safety of the formulation was evaluated using dermal irritation test. The prepared concentrations, Solcoseryl® ointment (positive control) and petroleum jelly (negative control) were topically applied daily on the excised wound and observed for wound healing activity for 14 days, with histological evaluations at days 7 and 14. The 90% C. nucifera endosperm ointment showed no clinical signs of dermal irritation during the study duration, confirming the safety for topical usage of all the C. nucifera formulation. All groups demonstrated scab formation and wound contraction at days 7 and 9, respectively. Healing of the wounds, manifested by distinct wound contraction, was observed at day 14, with 60% C. nucifera endosperm exhibiting significant activity compared to the negative control (p=0.009) and untreated (p=0.046) groups. It also displayed the highest activity, with notable similarity in the activity of Solcoseryl®, and revealed the most organized epidermis comparable to normal skin. This study validates the folkloric use of C. nucifera endosperm in facilitating wound healing process, with 60% C. nucifera endosperm exhibiting the most desirable activity.