Wound Healing Potential of Extract of Jatropha curcas L. (Stem bark) in rats

Introduction: The present study provides a scientific evaluation for the wound healing potential of extract of Jatropha curcas L. stem bark. Jatropha curcas L. or physic nut, is a bush or small tree (up to 5 m height) and belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. Methods: Excision and incision wounds were inflicted upon four groups of six rats each. Group I was assigned as control (ointment base), Group II was treated with standard silver sulfadiazine (0.01%) cream, Group III and Group IV was treated with 5% and 10% extract ointment respectively. The parameters observed were percentage of wound contraction, hydroxyproline content and tensile strength including histopathological studies. Results: It was noted that the effect produced by the extract ointment showed significant (P < 0.01) healing in both the wound models when compared with control group. All parameters such as wound contraction, hydroxyproline content, tensile strength and histopathological studies showed significant changes when compared to control. Conclusion: The result shows that extract ointment demonstrates wound healing potential in both excision and incision models.