Efficacy of Clerodendrum infortunatum on Wound Healing in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

The Clerodendrum infortunatiom Linn (CI) is one of the most important medicinal plant containing different properties like anti-inflammatory activities, anti-microbial activities, wound healing, promotes neo-vascularisation, and reduces oxidative stress. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the wound healing activity of hydro-alcoholic (70% ethanol) leaves extract of C. infortunatum Linn as 4 % ointment in cutaneous wound model in diabetic rats. Open excision wounds of 2×2 cm2 were experimentally created on the interscapular region of dorsal aspect of the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats to evaluate the time dependent (days 3, 7 and 15) wound healing effects of C. infortunatum ointment (4%). Thirty six acclimatized healthy Wistar rats (120-150g) were procured from LARS, IVRI, Izatnagar (U.P.), India divided into two groups namely control and treated consisting of 18 rats each and further divided into three sub group (n=6). The ointment base (90% soft paraffin, 5% hard paraffin, 5% lanolin) and 4% ointment in ethanolic extract of CI was applied twice daily on wound area in control and treated rats respectively. The % wound contraction, oxidative stress related parameter (SOD, CAT, GSH and LPO), hydroxyproline content and histopathology were estimated. The significantly higher (p<0.001) % wound contraction was found in treated group on day 7 and 15 as compared to control. The levels of SOD, Catalase and GSH in the diabetic treated group were significantly increased and level of MDA was significantly reduced on days 3, 7 and 15 as compared to control group. H & E stained tissue sections of treated wound showed marked proliferation of fibroblasts, more collagen deposition, well-formed capillaries, more granulation tissue covered with newly formed epithelial layer as compared to control sections. In conclusion, treatment of C. infortunatum ointment (4%) showed faster and organized healing of cutaneous wounds in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.