Wound healing activity of geraniin and aqueous leaf extract of Phyllanthus muellerianus (Kuntze) Excel (Euphorbiaceae)

Introduction : In recent times, there has been an increase in the incidence of wounds with a proportionate increase in various abnormalities of the healing process. This has necessitated research into agents that can enhance the healing process hence the selection of Phyllanthus muellerianus , a wound healing promoter [1, 2]. Aim : To determine the wound healing properties of aqueous leaf extract of P. muellerianus (ALEPM) and its isolate, geraniin. Method : Excision wound model was used and wound area contraction determined. Excised skin tissues were assessed for breaking strength, hydroxyproline content, histopathological and immunohistochemistry studies [2]. Results : There was significant (p < 0.001) increase in wound contraction (Fig. 1) in the ALEPM and geraniin treated groups and profuse angiogenesis, enhanced collagenation and re-epithelialization in treated tissues compared with the untreated. The content of hydroxyproline in treated tissues was found to be dose-dependent. Conclusion : ALEPM and geraniin exhibited wound healing properties. References: [1] Agyare et al., (2011). Phytomedicine, 18(7): 617 – 24. [2] Boakye and Agyare, (2013). Planta Med. 79:1161 – 1162. [3] Tang et al., (2007). Eur. J. Pharmacol. 567:177 – 185.