evaluation of wound healing potential of chicorium intybus in rats as animal model

the plant chicorium intybus is used in traditional medicinal system as skin nourisher and to treat several skin aliments such as warts. the objective of this study was to evaluate ethanolic extract of chicorium intybus for its wound healing activity in rats. the extract was tested on three groups of male albino rats, consisting of six animals each, which were placed individually in cages. all animals were experimentally wounded in the posterior neck (2cm x 2cm). normal saline was applied topically to wounds of group 1 animals as placebo control. wounds of group 2 and 3 rats, were treated with ethanolic extract of c hicorium intybus at 50mg/ml and 100mg/ml concentrations. the extract accelerated wound healing in rats compared with controls. complete wound epithelization was observed, fresh hair began to grow in the entire wounded area within 18days in animals treated with the 100mg/ml ethanolic extract of chicorium intybus compared with only 80.3 mm 2 area contraction without hair growth in control rats. the study permits the conclusion that ethanolic extract of chicorium intybus has wound healing potential.