Wound healing activity of aqueous extract of Radix paeoniae root

Aqueous extract of the roots of Radix paeoniae (Paeonaceae) was screened for wound healing by excision, incision and dead space wound models on Wistar rats. The parameters studied were breaking strength in case of incision wounds, epithelialisation and wound contraction in case of excision wound and granulation tissue dry weight, breaking strength and hydroxyproline content in case of dead space wound. The Nitrofurazone ointment treated group showed a significant (p < 0.001) reduction in the wound breaking strength when compared to control group in incision type of wound model. The results obtained indicated that Radix paeoniae root extract accelerates the wound healing process by decreasing the surface area of the wound and increasing the tensile strength. The histological examination of the granulation tissue of treated group showed increased cross-linking of collagen fibers and absence of monocytes.