Evaluation of Wound Healing Activity of Crude Latex Obtained From Calotropis Procera Stem

Evaluation of wound healing activity of crude latex of Calotropis procera stem was investigated in this present study. Thirty (30) rats of both sexes were divided into six groups of five animals each, Group A was administered distilled water only; group B was treated with 0% Calotropis procera crude latex + 100% ointment ; group C was treated with 25% C. Calotropis procera crude latex + 75% ointment; group D was treated with 50% Calotropis procera crude latex + 50% ointment; group E was treated with 75% Calotropis procera crude latex + 25% ointment and group F was treated with 100% Calotropis procera crude latex + 0% ointment. In In-vitro studies; the data was expressed as average cell number, the more the concentration of crude latex of Calotropis procera plant the more the average cell number. Excision wound model showed significant increase (P<0.05) in percentage wound closure in groups treated with latex (C to F). On day 16 increased wound closure was observed with increase in amount of stem latex mostly group F with mean value of 100.00±2.27%. Least wound closure on mean value of 45.63±4.48% was observed in group administered distilled water only. in-vitro studies (average number of cell), incision wound model (tensile strength) and hydroxyproline also showed significant increase (p>0.05) with increased concentration of crude latex. Hydroxyproline enhances the production of collagen, an essential component of the extracellular matrix required for wound healing. From the present study, the crude latex of Calotropis procera stem was observed to possess important phytochemicals with angiogenesis and fibrogenesis properties. Further research works on identification and isolation of bioactive component(s) that are responsible for the wound healing activity in the crude latex of Calotropis procera stem are recommended.