Abstract

The ethanolic extracts of Bidens pilosa and Ocimum suave were evaluated for their wound healing potential on excision wound models in Wistar albino rats. A total of nine (n=9) rats per group were used to assess the wound healing potential of the extracts. There were four groups of animals treated topically twice a day with either of the following: O. suave, B. pilosa, neomycin sulfate or distilled water. The rate of wound contraction, epithelialization, and complete healing were assessed over the experimental period. Wounds treated with extracts of O. suave, B. pilosa and neomycin sulfate had faster rates of wound contraction (p<0.05) on days 3, 6 and 9 than negative control. Histological examination of wound on day 7 also revealed better collagenation, angiogenesis and organization of the wound tissue. Epithelialisation and total healing time for B. pilosa and O. suave were comparable to neomycin sulfate (p>0.05). In conclusion, extracts of O. suave and B. pilosa show potential for use as alternative to neomycin for treatment of wounds.

Key words: Bidens pilosa, Ocimum suave, wound healing, epithelialization, ethanolic extract.