Abstract

Traditionally, a large number of plants are used for treatment of inflammation and wounds. In Asian and African countries Fagonia schweinfurthii (Hadidi) (F. Zygophyllaceae) and the closely related herb, such as Fagonia arabica are traditionally used for treatment of inflammation, open wounds, boils, skin eruptions, allergies, etc. Hence, the present study was conducted to investigate the anti-inflammatory and wound healing effects of 90% alcoholic extract of F. schweinfurthii formulated gel on carrageenan induced rats paw edema and excision wound model, respectively. The effects were compared with the anti-inflammatory diclofenac sodium ointment (Diclomax^®) and the wound healing povidone-iodine (Betadine^®) drugs. The herbal gels and diclofenac sodium ointment were topically applied (0.5 g) to the planter surface of the left hind paw and anti-inflammatory effect was observed within 3 h. The wound healing effect was investigated by application of 0.5 g/wound of the F. schweinfurthii gel and Betadine^® once daily for 19 days to the excision wound of albino rats and was observed at 4 days intervals. It was observed that gel formulations have progressive anti-inflammatory effect and accelerate the wound closer time. This study suggests that F. schweinfurthii plant extract gel formulation could be developed as a therapeutic agent for anti-inflammatory and wound healing effects.

Key words: Fagonia schweinfurthii, herbal formulation, anti-inflammatory, wound healing.