Publication

Abstract : Objective Sida cordifolia Linn. (Hindi—kungyi; Sanskrit—bala) is a shrub (family Malvaceae) grown all over India. In Ayurveda, the crushed leaves of the plant is used for the treatment and dressing of wounds. Traditionally, root juice is also used to promote the healing of wounds. This study was designed to evaluate the wound healing potential of hydrogel of methanolic extract of Sida cordifolia Linn. (MeOHSC) in diabetic rats. Methods The methanolic extract in the form of hydrogel was applied topically for the management of wounds in fructose-fed streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The % wound contraction, period of epithelialization, hydroxyproline content, and histopathological examination were evaluated using the excision wound model, and tensile strength was measured using the incision wound model. Results The results showed that in both models, hydrogel of MeOHSC was found to have significant wound healing activity compared with diabetic wound control in terms of % wound contraction (p<0.01), period of epithelialization (p<0.01), and hydroxyproline content (p<0.01) in the excision model, and tensile strength (p<0.01) in the incision model. The presence of collagen fibers and stronger growth of epithelial cells were observed in hydrogel of MeOHSC than in the diabetic wound control group. Conclusion Our findings suggest that hydrogel of MeOHSC has a potential benefit in enhancing the wound healing process in diabetic condition. This is possibly because of the presence of phenolic compounds and confirmation of gallic acid in the extracts.