Chromotographic and wound healing studies of Jatropha curcas (Euphorbiacea)

The wound healing properties of the methanol extract of the leaves of Jatropha curcas were studied by incision and excision wound models in rats. The wound healing effect was compared to that of the standard antibiotic, Cicatrin R. The histopathological profile, phytochemistry and the acute toxicity were also studied. An attempt was made to resolve the extract into its components using thin layer chromatography (TLC). Result of the incision and excision wound model shows significant (P < 0.05) dose-dependent increase in wound contraction rate, skin breaking strength and decrease in epithelization period showing a healing potential comparable to that of Cicatrin powder at a dose of 200 mg/kg. Histopathological studies showed proliferation of epithelial tissue, angiogenesis and fibrosis due to treatment with Jatropha curcas. The prohealing action was due to increased collagen deposition as well as better alignment and maturation. The leaves of Jatropha curcas were found to contain alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, proteins, tannins, reducing sugars, fats and oils. The intraperitoneal acute toxicity test (LD50) of the extract in mice showed that it as relatively safe, since at a dose of 5000 mg/kg there was no death. Among chromatographic solvent systems tested, chloroform:ethylacetate (6:4) gave the best resolution of the extract giving the highest number of spots. The present study demonstrates wound healing potential of Jatropha curcasKeywords: wound healing, Jatropha curcas, angiogenesis, epithelization, proliferationJournal of Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences, Vol. 7 No. 2 (2010