EVALUATION OF WOUND HEALING ACTIVITIES OF 80% METHANOL EXTRACT OF CLEMATIS HIRSUTA (PER AND GUILL) LEAVES IN MICE.

Abstract

Background: Wound healing is one of the most challenging health problems that needs correction and efficient wound management. The leaves of Clematis hirsuta (Perr and Guill) have been used to treat wounds as traditional medicine in different local communities.But no scientific investigation was conducted on the wound healing activities of Clematis hirsuta leaves using an in vivo study model. The aim of this study was to evaluate the wound healing activity of an 80% methanol crude extract of Clematis hirsuta (Perr and Guill) leaves in mice. Methods: The leaves of Clematis hirsuta were crushed, dried, and macerated in 80% methanol. The resulting extract was concentrated, dried, and formulated into ointments at strengths of 5% w/w and 10% w/w. Acute dermal toxicity was evaluated in female mice at a dose of 2000 mg/kg using the 10% w/w extract. Wound healing activities were assessed using excision, burn, and incision wound models, comparing the 5% w/w and 10% w/w extracts, 0.2% w/w nitrofurazone, and a simple ointment. Parameters such as epithelialization period, wound contraction, histopathological analysis, and tensile strength were measured. Statistical analysis was conducted using a one-way ANOVA followed by a Tukey test, and significance was considered at p < 0.05. Results: In mice, a 2000 mg/kg limit test dose of 10% w/w CE was safe. Topical application of 5% w/w CE and 10% w/w CE of Clematis hirsuta leaves possessed potential wound healing activity at (p<0.037) and (p<0.001), respectively, by increasing wound contraction rate in the excision wound model, while at (p<0.04) and (p<0.001) in the burn wound model compared to the negative control. Both 5% w/w CE and 10% w/w CE reduced the epithelialization period and possessed collagen deposit, angiogenesis, and fibroblast proliferation in both excision and burn wound models. In the incision wound model, both 5% w/w CE and 10% w/w CE significantly increased tensile strength (p <0.001) when compared to the negative control. Conclusion: The 80% methanol crude extract of Clematis hirsuta (Perr and Guill) leaves showed significant wound healing activities in mice, validating its traditional use for wound treatment.