Evaluation of wound healing potentials of neem (Azadirachtaindica) leaf extract on excision wounds in Wistar albino rats

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the wound healing ability of ethanoic leaf extract of Azadirachta indica, incorporated into the feed of albino rats. Twenty-four (24) albino rats of both sexes weighing between 90 to 125g were randomly selected and divided into three (3) groups of 8 rats each. Animals in each group were divided into four (4) replicates of two (2) rats per replicate. Group A had penicillin, group B had neem ointment and group C had Neem incorporated in the feed. The ethanoic leaf extract of Azadirachta indica showed a significantly higher (p<0.05) contraction rate and shortened wound closure time. The healing was 92% (p<0.05) on 10th day compared to 75% and 82% of healing with ground leaf of A. indica incorporated into the feed (neem + feed) and procaine penicillin, respectively. The complete wound closure took place on the 12th day in the case of ethanoic leaf extract of Azadirachta indica while, neem + feed and procaine penicillin the wounds persisted than12th day. The study concluded that the ethanoic leaf extract of A. indica had better potential wound healing activity for excision wounds; justifying its use in the traditional and orthodox medicine.