In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the wound healing properties of Siegesbeckia pubescens

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Siegesbeckia pubescens (SP) has been traditionally used as a wound healing agent. Aim of the study: Investigate in vitro and in vivo healing properties of SP extract. Materials and methods: The methanolic extract of SP was tested for the ability to stimulate the growth of mouse fibroblast NIH3T3 in vitro. The viability and proliferation of fibroblasts were evaluated at 72 h after cell seeding by MTT assay at 570 nm. To study wound healing properties in vivo, excision and incision wound models were used on rats and SP (3, 4, 5%, w/w) was topically administered. After treatment, wound contraction, epithelialization period and hexosamine content were evaluated in the excision wound model. In the incision wound model, wound sites were removed for histopathological analysis and skin-breaking strength determination. Results: The methanol extract showed significant stimulation of the growth of mouse fibroblast NIH3T3 at 0.5-100 mu g/mL. In excision wound, animals treated with 4,5% (w/w) SP exhibited significant increases in the rate of wound contraction, period of epithelialization and content of hydroxyproline. In incision wound, the animals treated with both the 4 and 5% (w/w) SP extracts showed an increase in breaking strength when compared with the control, which was additionally supported by histopathological studies. Conclusion: The experimental data revealed that the methanolic extract of SP displayed remarkable wound healing activity, corroborating its traditional use. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.