Wound healing activity of topical formulation of Lantana camara Linn flower water distillate in Wistar rats

Objective: To evaluate the wound healing effect of topical formulation of Lantana camara Linn flower water distillate in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: The water distillate of Lantana camara Linn flowers were made into oil based pro-formulation and tested for the ‘wound healing’ activity on excision and incision wound models in albino rats of Wistar strain. Animals were divided into four groups, containing 6 animals each. Group I (control) received no treatment. Group II animals were treated with 5% w/w Povidone iodine (positive control). Group III & Group IV treated with 5% & 10% ointment prepared from Lantana essential oil. The process of wound healing was observed with naked eye till complete healing of wounds, substantiated with histopathological studies. The wound healing parameters like rate of wound contraction and period of epithelialization were observed for excision model, whereas tensile strength (skin breaking strength) was observed in the incision model. Results were analyzed by using One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparison test. Results: The degree of contraction of wound, period of epithelialization as well as tensile strength in incision model for different groups were compared and correlated. The test drug showed significant pro-wound healing potential in terms of all the parameters studied as compared to control and standard drug. The histopathological findings also correlated with the observed wound healing. Conclusion: Lantana oil formulation can be better alternative of Povidone iodine, which has some delayed wound healing action. Further research in terms of long term dermal toxicity and determination of active principle of the extract is warranted. Keywords: Epithelialization, Excision wound, Incision wound, Tensile strength, Wound contraction