Evaluation of wound healing potential and antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extract of Evolvulus alsinoides

The aim of this study is to explore the wound healing and antimicrobial effects of crude ethanolic extract of the whole plant of Evolvulus alsinoides L., (Convolvulaceae). Excision wounds were created in Wistar rats and the area of skin wound in the experimental group was dressed with crude ethanolic extract, while the animal in the control group was dressed with normal saline. The wound area was measured in both groups of animals at the fourth, eighth, twelfth and sixteenth postoperative day and the percentage wound contraction calculated. Sample of granulation tissues and end scar obtained from these wounded animals were used for biochemical and histopathological studies. The result showed significant increase in the percentage wound contraction at day 10 in the experimental group compared with the control. The wound of animals in both groups showed excellent granulation tissue formation. The ethanolic extracts were also tested against nine human pathogenic bacteria and four fungal strains by the agar-well diffusion and slant method. Based on minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the present study, the ethanolic extract showed maximum antibacterial activity and antifungal activity. This study provides a rationale for the topical application of plant extract as a feasible and productive approach to support dermal wound healing with good antimicrobial properties.