Antimicrobial and wound healing activities of Piper hayneanum

In traditional medicine Piper species are widely used for the treatment of various ailments including antiinflammatory, infectious skin diseases and healing, particularly cuts, wounds, sprain, hematoma, and ecchymosis. This study evaluated for the first time the in vitro antimicrobial and wound healing activities of extracts and fractions from leaves, stems and roots of Piper hayneanum C.DC (Piperaceae). In vitro antimicrobial activity was evaluated by disk diffusion method while wound healing effect in rats was evaluated using the excision wound model infected. Fractions from stems and roots showed in vitro antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans (MICs ranging from 1.0 to 500 I¼g/disc). Of these fractions, two ointments were prepared (5% w/w) and assessed for in vivo wound healing on infected rat model. Wound healing efficacy for 15 days was measured by determining the physiological and histological parameters. Topical application of the ointments fractions significantly improved wound contraction when compared with control group of rats. The results showed that two fractions of P. hayneanum, promising in vitro as antimicrobial, were effective in rats with dorsal injuries infected with S. aureus and C. albicans. Animals treated with fractions showed better wound healing compared with those treated with the gentamicin (S. aureus) and miconazole (C. albicans). From the results obtained, it may be concluded that P. hayneanum fractions has the potential to be developed into new therapeutic agent for use in topical infections.