This study evaluated the wound healing potential of Spathodea campanulata stem bark in Sprague Dawley rats using the excision
wound model. The
methanol extract contained
glycosides,
flavonoids and
tannins, and was relatively stable when stored at the room temperature for six (6) months.
Solvent-free, semi-solid extract of S. campanulata was incorporated into an aqueous cream and applied (10 % w/w and 20 % w/w) on excision
wounds of thirty two (32) rats.
Cicatrin(®) cream was used as a standard wound healing agent. Prior to the remedial cream application, done later on twice daily, sixteen (16) rats had their
wounds infected with Staphylococcus aureus, while in the remaining sixteen the
wounds were kept clean. The surface area of the excision
wounds was monitored planimetrically every four (4) days until a complete
wound closure or healing took place. Excision
wounds treated with 20 % w/w Spathodea cream and
Cicatrin(®) cream showed a rapid and comparable decrease (p > 0.05) in
wound size. In uninfected
wounds, both 20 % w/w Spathodea cream and
Cicatrin(®) cream application resulted in ∼ 95 %-
wound closure seen on Day 20, and a complete closure seen on Day 24. In infected
wounds, both 20 % w/w Spathodea cream and
Cicatrin(®) cream administration led to ∼ 91 %-
wound closure on Day 24 and a complete
wound contraction on Day 28. The results of this study justify the folkloric use of S. campanulata stem bark to the effect of
wound treatment.