Preclinical Assessment of Wound Healing and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Eichhornia crassipes in Wistar Albino Rats

Aim: An essential medicinal plant, Echhornia crassipes is a member of the Pontederiaceae family and is used to treat a wide range of disorders. Using various animal models, this study sought to investigate the anti-inflammatory and wound-healing benefits of an ethanolic extract of E. crassipes.

Study Design: This study engaged in vivo studies to investigate the wound healing and anti-inflammatory studies of the extract when compare with standard treatment.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology, Gokaraju Rangaraju College of Pharmacy, Bachupally, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

Methodology: The optimal dosage of MEEC (Methanolic Extract of Eichhornia crassipes) was established by conducting acute toxicity tests. The efficacy of wound healing was assessed in this study by means of excision and incision wound models. For the purpose of inducing paw oedema and testing the anti-inflammatory efficacy, we utilised carrageenan and formalin, respectively.

Results: Experiments on acute toxicity indicated that the extract was acceptable at doses up to 2000 mg/kg. Two gel concentrations of the extract, 5% and 10%, were applied topically. Wounds healed significantly faster with 10% MEEC gel than with the conventional 10% povidone iodine ointment. Similar to the gold standard drug diclofenac, MEEC at doses of 200 mg/kg b.w. and 400 mg/kg b.w. demonstrated strong anti-inflammatory effects in the two animal models.

Conclusion: The benefits of MEEC on wound healing and inflammation may be attributed to its chemical components, which include alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenoids, and sterols.