Wound healing activities of Centella asiatica extracts in incision and burn wound models: an experimental animal study

Background: Efficacy of Centella asiatica on incision and burn wounds are not sufficiently known. In this study we evaluated[SYG1] wound healing activities of different extracts of Centella asiatica, namely hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water extracts, in incision and partial-thickness burn wound models in rats. Results: On day 7 post-wounding, tensile strength of incision wound in all extract-treated groups was significantly higher than that of the vehicle control (Tween 20®), but comparable to the NSS-treated group. Degree of burn wound healing in ethyl acetate extract-, hexane extractas well as methanol extractor water extract-treated groups was significantly higher than that of the control on day 3, 10 and 14, respectively. Similar results were observed in wound lesion and histopathological studies. The wound appearance in the extract-treated groups looked better than those in the control.[SYG2] Analysis by thin layer chromatography demonstrated that the phyto-constituents [SYG3]in hexane extract, ethyl acetate extract and methanol extract included[SYG4] β-sitosterol, asiatic acid, and asiaticoside and madecassocide, respectively. Conclusions: All extracts of Centella asiatica could facilitate wound healing process in both incision and burn wounds. Ethyl acetate extract containing asiatic acid seemed to be the most active component for wound healing.