Wound healing promoting activity of stem bark extract of Semecarpus anacardium using rats

The wound healing promoting property of stem bark methanol extract of Semecarpus anacardium was evaluated at three different dosages by excision, incision and dead space wound models using Wistar albino rats. Framycetin skin ointment was used as standard. LD(50) of methanol extract was determined to be 500 mg kg(-1). In methanol extract (20% ointment) treated group, epithelialisation of the incision wound was faster with a high rate of wound contraction. The tensile strength of the incision wound was significantly increased when compared to other treated groups. The histological examination of the dead space wound model granulation tissue of the methanol extract (100 mg kg(-1)) treated group showed increased cross-linking of collagen fibres and absence of monocytes as compared to control. Methanol extract at 100 mg kg(-1) exhibited significant wound healing activity but was lesser than standard; whereas, in animals treated with 50 and 75 mg kg(-1) showed moderate activity. This investigation supported the ethnomedicinal claims of S. anacardium.