Evaluation of anti-helmintic and wound healing potential of Saraca asoca (Roxb) bark

Introduction: The present work was done in search of traditional cure for live stock diseases and injuries occur to the body. The present study was aimed to evaluate wound healing potential of Saraca asoca bark in the form of simple ointment using two types of wound models in rats as incision wound and excision wound models and also evaluated for anti-helmintic activity. Materials and Methods: The methanolic extract of Saraca asoca Roxb. was evaluated for its anti-helimintic and wound healing activity at doses of 50 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml for anti-helmintic activity and 1% w/w, 4% w/w ointments in the case of wound healing activity. Albendazole 10 mg/ml is used as standard for antihelmintic activity and nitrofurazone 0.2% w/w ointment served as standard in the wound healing model. The parameters studied are time taken for paralysis and death of worms for anti-helmintic activity, tensile strength in incision wound model, percentage wound closure and period of epithelialisation in excision wound model. Results: Highest dose of this extract was found to possess good anti-helmintic activity along with significant wound healing activity. This was evident by decrease in time taken for paralysis and death; significant increase in tensile strength and decrease in period of epithelialization; increase in wound contraction when compared to control. Discussion: The progressive results are may be due to depletion of glycogen or β-tubulin inhibition in helmentic worms and increase in the viability and strength of collagen fibers in rats by the presence of tannins, flavonoids and alkaloids.