Significance of Croton lobatus L. leaf extract on the healing of surgically created wounds in laboratory rats
Muhyideen A. Kilani, Lateefat O. Oladimeji, Iskiil O. Oyenekan, Abdulhakeem Binhambali, Hassan A. Audu, Abdulrauf M. Obalowu, Abdullahi Aliyu, Adamu Z. Hassan, Samuel T. Fadason
Abstract
Croton lobatus (C. lobatus), has traditionally been utilized for its purported wound-healing properties. Despite its use, scientific validation of its efficacy remains limited. This study aims to evaluate the effects of C. lobatus leaf extracts on wound healing by examining wound contraction, epithelialization, histopathological changes, and biochemical markers in a rat excision wound model. 22-week-old albino rats with body weight of 200 g, were anesthetized, and four excision wounds measuring 1.0 by 1.0 cm were surgically created on their dorsal surfaces. The rats were randomly assigned to four treatment groups: Group A received topical applications of C. lobatus paste; Group B was treated with C. lobatus aqueous extract; Group C served as the control group and was treated with saline solution; and Group D received Cicatrin powder, a commercial antibacterial agent (neomycin & bacitracin). Treatments commenced 48 hrs post-wound creation. Groups A to C, each comprising three rats, underwent gross examination to monitor wound contraction and epithelialization on days 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 post-wounding. On day 22, following complete healing, biopsies were collected for tensometric analysis. In Group D, one rat was sacrificed on days 4, 7, 10, and 13 post-wounding to facilitate histopathological examination and to assess levels of hydroxyproline, hexosamine, total protein, and uronic acid in the granulation tissue. The study revealed that wounds treated with C. lobatus paste and aqueous extract exhibited significantly higher mean percentages of wound contraction compared to those treated with Cicatrin powder. Similarly, the mean percentages of epithelialization were markedly greater in the C. lobatus-treated groups relative to the Cicatrin group. Histopathological assessments indicated a moderate to abundant presence of active fibroblasts in the C. lobatus-treated wounds, whereas the normal saline and Cicatrin groups exhibited fewer fibroblasts. Biochemical analyses demonstrated that granulation tissues from the C. lobatus-treated wounds contained higher levels of hydroxyproline, hexosamine, total protein, and uronic acid, suggesting enhanced collagen synthesis and extracellular matrix formation. This study suggests that the paste and aqueous extracts of C. lobatus significantly promote wound healing and improve biochemical markers associated with tissue repair.
Keywords
References
- Li H, Fu X, Ouyang Y, Cai C, Wang J, Sun T. Adult bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells contribute to wound healing of skin appendages. Cell Tissue Research. 2006; 326(3): 725-736. doi: 10.1007/s00441-006-0270-9
- Cui HS, Joo SY, Cho YS, Park JH, Kim JB, Seo CH. Effect of combining low temperature plasma, negative pressure wound therapy, and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on an acute skin wound healing mouse model. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2020; 21(10): 3675. doi: 10.3390/ijms21103675
- Subhashini S, Kantha DA. Investigations on the phytochemical activities and wound healing properties of Adhatoda vasica leaves in Swiss albino mice. African Journal of Plant Sciences. 2011; 5(2): 133-145. doi: Nil.
- Wright JB, Lam K, Burrell RE. Wound management in an era of increasing bacterial antibiotic resistance: a role for topical silver treatment. American Journal of Infection Control. 1998; 26(6): 572-577. doi: 10.1053/ic.1998. v26.a93527
- Ogwang PE, Ronald AJ, Joseph O, Evariste B. Wound healing property and phytochemical analysis of Zanthoxylum species from Uganda. Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International. 2017; 203: 1-9. doi: 10.9734/JPRI/2017/36766
- Al-Otaibi AM, Al-Gebaly AS, Almeer R, Albasher G, Al-Qahtani WS, Abdel Monei AE. Melatonin pre-treated bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells prompt wound healing in rat models. Biomedicines and Pharmacotherapy. 2022; 145: 112473. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112473
- Aldhaher A, Langat M, Schwikkard S, Carew M, Mulholland D. New terpenoids from Croton dichogamus Pax. Planta Medica. 2016; 81(17): 1512-1517. doi: 10.1055/s-0036-1596327
- Matara DN, Nguta JM, Musila FM, Mapenay I, Ali HM, Omambia VM. Botanical description, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological effects of Croton dichogamus Pax (Euphorbiaceae). The Journal of Phytopharmacology. 2021; 10(1): 42-47. doi: 10.31254/phyto.2021.10109
- Peres ISA, Conceição KAO, Silva LAF, Khouri NG, Yoshida CMP, Concha VOC, et al. Dragon’s Blood: Antioxidant properties for nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. Rendiconti Lincei. Scienze Fisiche e Naturali. Scienze Fisiche e Naturali. 2023; 34: 131-142. doi: 10.1007/s12210-022-01122-4
- Sun S, Wang P, Yue K, Yi Q, Xie X, Xie X. Effect and mechanism of Dragon’s Blood on wound healing of patients with stress hand injury. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2023; 2023: 6122331. doi: 10.1155/2023/6122331
- Guerra Junior JI, Ferreira MRA, de Oliveira AM, Soares LAL. Croton sp.: A review about popular uses, biological activities and chemical composition. Research Society and Development. 2022; 11(2): e57311225306. doi: 10.33448/rsd-v11i2.25306
- Burkill HM. Croton lobatus L. [family Euphorbiaceae]. In: The useful plants of west tropical Africa. Volume 2. Kew: Royal Botanic Gardens; 1985. doi: Nil.
- Adenuga DA, Ewekeye TS, Sharaibi OJ, Ogundele FO. Inventory of medicinal plants diversity in Atan Okansoso village, APA, Badagry, Lagos State, Nigeria. Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies. 2020; 8(4): 176-182. doi: Nil.
- Odukoya OA, Sofidiya MO, Samuel AT, Ajose I, Onalo M, Shuaib B. Documentation of wound healing plants in Lagos-Nigeria: inhibition of lipid peroxidation as in-vivo prognostic biomarkers of activity. Annals of Biological Research. 2012; 34: 1683-1789. doi: Nil.
- Odewo SA, Ajani BA, Agbeja AO, Oyedeji OF, Soyewo LT, Oyelowo JO, et al. Ethno-botanical survey of indigenous medicinal plants in agroforestry farm of Forest Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Journal of Research Forestry Wildlife and Environment. 2022; 14(3): 10-18. doi: Nil.
- Prashanthi R, Mohan N, Siva GV. Wound healing property of aqueous extract of seed and outer layer of Momordica charantia L. on albino rats. Indian Journal of Science and Technology. 2012; 5(1): 1936-1940. doi: 10.1785/ijst/ 2012/v5i1.18
- Sharma S, Sharma MC, Kohli DV. Wound healing activity of the ether-chloroform extract of Momordica charantia fruits in rats. Digest Journal of Nanomaterials and Biostructures. 2010; 5(1): 123-126. doi: Nil.
- Teoh SL, Latiff AA, Das S. The effect of topical extract of Momordica charantia bitter gourd on wound healing in nondiabetic rats and in rats with diabetes induced by streptozotocin. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology. 2009; 34(7): 815-822. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2230.2008.03117.x
- Piskin A, Zuhal BA, Tümentemu G, Kaplan S, Yazici ÖB, Hökelek M. The beneficial effects of Momordica charantia bitter gourd on wound healing of rabbit skin. The Journal of Dermatological Treatment. 2014; 25(4): 350-357. doi: 10.3109/09546634.2012.713459
- Hebda PA, Whaley DL, Kim HG, Wells A. Absence of inhibition of cutaneous wound healing in mice by oral doxycycline. Wound Repair and Regeneration. 2003; 11(6): 373-379. doi: 10.1046/j.1524-475x.2003.11510.x
- Woessner JF. The determination of hydroxyproline in tissue and protein samples containing small proportions of this amino acid. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics. 1961; 93: 440-447. doi: 10.1016/0003-9861(61)90291-0
- Rondle CJM, Morgan WTJ. The determination of glucosamine and galactosamine. The Biochemical Journal. 1955; 61: 586-590. doi: 10.1042/bj0610586
- Chitra P, Sajithlal GB, Chandrakasan G. Influence of Aloe vera on the glycosaminoglycans in the matrix of healing dermal wounds in rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 1998; 59(3): 179-186. doi: 10.1016/s0378-8741(97)00112-8
- Bradford MM. A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding. Analytical Biochemistry. 1976; 72: 248-54. doi: 10.1016/0003-2697(76)90527-3
- Chiller S, Slover G, Dorfman AA. A method for the separation of acid mucopolysaccharides: its application to the isolation of heparin from the skin of rats. The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 1961; 236: 983-987. PMID: 13747650.
- World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS). Wound exudate: Effective assessment and management. London: Wounds International; 2019. Published by Wounds International Ground Floor 108 Cannon Street London EC4N 6EU, UK.
- Nagle SM, Stevens KA, Wilbraham SC. Worcestershire acute hospitals NHS trust. Wound assessment and management guideline. 2024. Bookshelf ID: NBK482198. PMID: 29489199.
- Hinz B. Masters and servants of the force: the role of matrix adhesion in myofibroblast force perception and transmission. European Journal of Cell Biology. 2006; 85(3-4): 175-181. doi: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2005.09.004
- Anietie FU, Eze CA, Chah KF, Etuk EU. Antibacterial and surgical wound healing properties of ethanolic leaf extracts of Swietenia mahogoni and Carapa procera. Asian Journal of Traditional Medicine. 2011; 6(6): 272-277. doi: Nil.
- Eugene I, Igwilo CI, Awodele O, Azubuike C. Antibacterial and wound healing properties of methanolic extract of dried fresh Gossypium barbadense leaves. Asian Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2012; 2(13): 32-37. doi: Nil.
- Velnar T, Bailey T, Smrkolj V. The wound healing process: an overview of the cellular and molecular mechanisms. Journal of Internal Medicine Research. 2009; 37: 1528-1542. doi: 10.1177/147323000903700531
- Subramanian S, Duraipandian C, Alsayari A, Ramachawolran G, Wong LS, Sekar M, et al. Wound healing properties of a new formulated flavonoid-rich fraction from Dodonaea viscosa Jacq. leaves extract. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2023; 14: 1096905. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1096905
- Sakthiganapathi M, Yoganandam GP, Gopal V. Formulation, characterization, and evaluation of wound healing potency of a novel Mattan tailam nanogel based on a famous traditional Siddha formula. Avicenna Journal of Medicine and Biotechnology. 2022; 15(1): 38-47. doi: 10.18502/ajmb.v15i1.11423
- Shadman‑Manesh V, Gholipour‑Kanani A, Najmoddin N, Rabbani S. Preclinical evaluation of the polycaprolactone‑polyethylene glycol electrospun nanofibers containing egg‑yolk oil for acceleration of full thickness burns healing. Scientific Reports. 2023; 13: 919. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-28065-6
- Lambebo MK, Kifle ZD, Gurji TB, Yesuf JS. Evaluation of wound healing activity of methanolic crude extract and solvent fractions of the leaves of Vernonia auriculifera Hiern (Asteraceae) in mice. Journal of Experimental Pharmacology. 2021; 13: 677-692. doi: 10.2147/JEP.S308303
Submitted date:
04/14/2025
Reviewed date:
06/12/2025
Accepted date:
06/18/2025
Publication date:
06/25/2025