Evaluating the Use of an Ointment Based on Prosopis juliflora Leaves in the Topical Therapy of Wounds

Abstract

Wound healing is characterized by how a dynamic physiological process must maintain the integrity of the lesion. This study aimed to evaluate morphometrically and histologically, through in vivo assays, the healing of skin wounds with topical use of an ointment formulated by a powder base obtained from the leaves of Prosopis juliflora. Twenty-seven adult male Wistar rats were divided into three groups and received a daily application of saline 0.9% NaCl (GI), a commercial ointment based on silver sulfadiazine 1% (GII), and an ointment-based powder of the leaves of P. juliflora (GIII) for periods of 7, 14 and 21 days. Morphometric evaluation of the wound was done daily and its evolution was followed by observing the appearance of the scar retraction with a digital calliper. The histological assessment was made through the production of blades for the observation of epithelialization processes and re-epithelialization. The animals treated with the ointment base of P. juliflora leaves showed a satisfactory healing process from day 7, with the appearance of granulation tissue and wound contraction. Topical application of the ointment powder base from the leaves of P. juliflora allowed a gradual healing and the stable behaviour of wounds in vivo. Further investigation will allow application of this compound to heal human wounds and pharmaceutical use.