Wound healing activity of crude extract and solvent fractions of Salvia nilotica leaves in excision and incision wounds in mice.

PURPOSE: Juice from Salvia nilotica fresh leaves is traditionally used for the treatment of wounds in Ethiopia; yet, such a claim has not been scientifically verified so far. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the wound-healing properties of S. nilotica leaf extract and solvent fractions using excision and incision wound models in mice. METHODS: About 80% methanolic crude extract and its solvent fractions (chloroform, butanol, and aqueous) were formulated as an ointment. Incision and excision models were used to assess the wound-healing effect of the crude extract, whereas the solvent fractions were tested in the excision model. In the excision model, wound contraction, epithelialization, and histopathological changes were measured, whereas tensile strength was measured in the incision model. RESULTS: The crude extract of S. nilotica significantly promoted wound healing (P < 0.05), which was evident with increased wound contraction, enhanced tensile strength, and reduced epithelialization period when compared with the negative control groups. All solvent fractions have also enhanced the wound-healing process similarly. The histopathological examination results also confirmed the positive effects of the plant extract on wound healing as the extract has increased collagen deposition, fibroblast proliferation, and vascularization of the wound site. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study showed the wound-healing potential of S. nilotica leaf extracts, which in turn may partly justify the traditional use of the plant material for wound-healing purposes.