Browsing by Author "Herbert, Mbagwu"

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    PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND WOUND HEALING ACTIVITY OF LEAVES OF CENTROSEMA PLUMIERIE USED FOR TREATMENT OF BURN WOUNDS BY HERBAL DRUG ENTREPRENEURS IN NIGERIA
    (Enterpreneurship Department, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, 2013-05-05) Memfin, Ekpo; Herbert, Mbagwu
    Phytochemical screening of the extracts of the leaves of Centrosema plumierie showed the presence of bioactive constituents predominantly tannins and much less saponins. The extract also tested for ^pro- wound healing activities at doses of 0.5, 1.0. and 1.5 g. Excision wound measuring about 175 mm was created on the albino rats placed in groups (n = 5) and the extract applied topically on the wounds which was measured at intervals of 3 days until epithelialization and complete wound closure. Blank ointment base and Gentamycin ointment (1 %) served as the control and standard treatments. respectively. Topical application of the ethanol leaf extract of Centrosema plumierie on the excision wound in rats caused a significantly (P<0.05) higher rate of wound healing and reduced the epithelialization period in a dose-related manner. Application of the highest concentrations of Centrosema plumierie extract (1.5 g) showed the highest rate of wound closure reducing the epithelialization period to 14.5 days compared to the blank ointment treatment with epithelialization period of 18.7 days. We conclude that Centrosema plumierie extract facilitates wound healing. The medicinal plant should be explored in harnessing its potentials for topical treatment of wounds.