WOUND HEALING POTENTIAL OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS L. FRUITS

The main objective of the present investigation is to evaluate the wound healing potential of methanolic extract of Tribulus terrestris L. (TT) fruits on Wistar rats. Wound healing (i.e. analgesic and anti-inflammatory) potential of the methanolic extract of the TT fruits at doses of 50, 100 & 200 mg/kg was evaluated against the standard drug indomethacin at a dose of 20 mg/kg, p.o. Adult Wistar rats of either sex of six numbers in each group was undertaken for study and evaluated by acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate reaction time, carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and safety test on gastric mucosa method. Methanolic extract of TT showed anti-nociceptive effect in acetic acid-induced writhing characterized by a significant decrease in the number of writhings in rats (p < 0.01). In hot plate test, TT showed nociceptive reaction towards thermal stimuli in rats and a significant increase in the reaction time was observed (p < 0.01). The test drug significantly inhibited the carrageenan-induced hind paw edema in rats that is indicative of the anti-inflammatory effect of TT (p < 0.01). However, no gastric lesions were observed in TT treated rats indicating the safety of test drug. The methanolic extract of TT showed significant wound healing potential in different animal models. Keywords: analgesic, anti-inflammatory, indomethacin, gastric mucosa.