Potential Wound Healing Activity of Euphorbia Hirta Linn Total Flavonoid Fraction

Euphorbia hirta (Euphorbiaceae) has reported antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral anti inflammatory, anti arthritic and antioxidant effect with presence of polyphenolic and flavonoid compounds lead us to evaluate the wound healing activity of enriched flavonoid fraction. Qualitative phytochemical test and quantitative estimation of total flavonoid and polyphenol content was carried out on ethanol, methanol and water extract of E. hirta whole plant followed by separation of total flavonoid fraction (EHTF) from methanol extract. TLC analysis showed presence of quercetin, ferulic acid and gallic acid in total flavonoid fraction of E. hirta whole plant. Wound healing activity of EHTF was determined on incision, excision and dead space wound model on rat at 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg, p.o following acute toxicity study. Wound healing was assessed by rate of wound contraction, epithelisation period, tensile strength and estimation of granulation tissue weight, hydroxyproline, SOD, catalase and total protein content. EHTF (600 mg/kg) significantly increased the wound breaking strength, granulation tissue weight and hydroxyproline content (p < 0.001). Antioxidant enzyme SOD and catalase level was found to be higher in wound tissue along with total protein content (p < 0.01). Epithelialize period was faster and the rate of wound contraction was significantly higher (p < 0.05-0.001) in EHTF 400 and 600 mg/kg treated groups. Increased tensile strength, wound contraction rate and hydroxyproline content provide strong evidence for would heal property of E. hirta flavonoid. Presence of myricitrin, quercitrin, kaempferol, luteolin and gallic acid like polyphenolic compounds in E. hirta indicate potential scavenging effect as important determinant of wound healing property. Anti inflammatory, reduced macrophage and granulocyte infiltration, reduced cartilage degeneration and antimicrobial effect may also have contributed towards wound healing.