The Wound Healing Effects of Aqueous Leave Extracts of Azadirachta Indica on Wistar Rats.

The wound healing effect of the aqueous leave extracts of Azadirachta indica (neem tree)was investigated on adult male wistar rats. The aim of this study is to scientifically determine if the aqueous leave extracts of Azadirachta indica has wound healing abilities. Twenty male wistar rats (two groups of 10 control and 10 experimental rats)of average weight 150-200g were used for this study. A 2cm by 2cm2 area of wound was made at the dorsolateral aspect of the rats and an aqueous leave extract of Azadirachta indica was applied on the wound of experimental rats while normal saline was used on the control rats. All animals had their wound dressed every three days, wound dimension measured and morphometry assessed. Wound biopsy was collected by random selection in each group on day 9 and on the day of complete reepithelialization. Tissue processing was done using paraffin wax method. Slides were stained with haematoxilin and eosin for histological assessment of fibroblast, neovascularization, granulation and end scar tissue profile. Results showed significant wound contraction at day 6 (p<0.05).The mean percentage wound contraction for experimental rats was 72.34± 2.49 while the control group was 62.39± 7.94. Mean percentage wound contraction for experimental group at day 9 was 92.20± 6.66 while that of the control group was 85.19± 7.84. The mean of the percentage wound contraction on day 9 was insignificant (p>0.05). The extracts of Azadirachta indica significantly increased (p<0.05) the day of complete wound closure in experimental group compared to control group. Aqueous leave extracts of Azadirachta indica promotes wound healing activity through increased inflammatory response and neovascularization. KEY WORDS: Azadirachta indica, wistar rats, wound healing