Evaluation of In Vivo Wound-Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Solvent Fractions of Fruits of Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae)

Abstract

Introduction. The solvent fractions of the fruits of Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae) have not yet been explored scientifically for in vivo wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities. The objective of this study was, therefore, to evaluate in vivo wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities of the solvent fractions of the fruit of Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae) in rats. Method. The crude extract of Argemone mexicana was fractionated with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and distilled water. Wound healing activity was evaluated using excision and incision wound models while anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using carrageenan-induced rat paw and cotton pellet-induced granuloma models. The fractions were evaluated at 5 and 10% ointments using moist-exposed burn ointment as the standard drug, and 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg test doses using aspirin, and dexamethasone as standard drugs for wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities, respectively. All treatment administrations were made orally for anti-inflammatory activity and applied topically for wound healing activity. Result. The 10% w/w ethyl acetate fraction ointment showed a significant percentage of wound contraction, reduced period of epithelialization, increased amount of fibrosis, neovascularization, and collagen tissue formation ( $p<0.01$ ). The ethyl acetate fraction also showed a significant increase in tensile strength (55%; $p<0.01$ ) and (81.10%; $p<0.01$ ) at the tested doses of 5 and 10% w/w ointments, which was comparable to moist-exposed burn ointment. The ethyl acetate fraction also revealed a significant percent edema inhibition (61.41%; $p<0.01$ ), suppression of the exudate (38.09% $p<0.01$ ), and granuloma mass formations (53.47% $p<0.01$ ) at the tested dose of 400 mg/kg. Conclusion. The results of this study showed that the Ethyl acetate fraction of Argemone mexicana fruit has significant wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities which support the traditional claims of the experimental plant.