Therapeutic Effects of Aqueous Extracts of Acmella Oleracea on Cutaneous Wounds

Abstract

Purpose: Wounds are injuries which arise when the structural continuity of a tissue is physically disrupted. It has been established scientifically that plants produce metabolites which potentially accelerate wound healing. Approximately 80% of human population globally, according to WHO, use phytoextracts that have not been scientifically accredited as medicines. This research focused on establishing in vivo the efficacy of lyophilized aqueous extracts of A. oleracea in enhancing cutaneous wound healing in Mus musculus, male albino mice.

Methodology: Acmella oleracea plants identified and confirmed by taxonomists were collected from their undisturbed natural ecosystem, dried under the shade and ground to powder using a mill. Extraction of phytoextracts was done by infusion which involved the addition of 500g of the powder to 4 liters of distilled water and maintaining the mixture at 60⁰C for 6 hours. The mixture was filtered, concentrated, lyophilized and stored in lightproof plastic bags at -10⁰C for bioassays. The extracts were assayed for their activity in the excision wound repair paradigm. Mineral ion constitution of the extracts was analyzed using TXFR technique. The presence of phytochemical composition was established using standard procedures. The animals were put into five groups, each consisting of five mice. Group A, a negative control, was given physiological saline. Group B, a positive control, was treated with a standard drug Flucloxacillin at a therapeutic dose of 40 mg/kg and groups C, D and E with test phytoextracts at therapeutic doses 50, 95 and 300mg/kg body weight respectively. This was done systemically via oral routes for 21 days. Statistical analyses were done by ANOVA followed by Tukey HSD post hoc test. P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Findings: Lyophilized extracts significantly accelerated wound contraction in the first five days post wounding with respect to the negative physiological saline control doses. Results from TXFR revealed the presence of mineral elements like magnesium that enhance wound healing. Phytochemical analysis results revealed the presence of the metabolites flavonoids, tannins, phenols, alkaloids and saponins in varying concentrations.

Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: In conclusion, the extracts demonstrated wound healing potential which would be attributed to the presence phytochemicals and mineral ions in the phytoextracts. This research therefore recommends the sustained use of these plant extracts for wound healing purposes.