Wound healing activity of Ocimum sanctum Linn with supportive role of antioxidant enzymes.

The present study was performed to evaluate the wound healing and antioxidant effect of aqueous extract of Ocimum sanctum Linn. (O. sanctum) in rats. Albino rats of either sex were divided into 2 groups. Group I: Wounded control rats; Group II: Wounded rats administered O. sanctum aqueous extract. Wound breaking strength in incision wound model, epithelization period and percent wound contraction in excision wound model were studied. Using dead space wound model, granulation tissue breaking strength, granulation tissue dry weight, hydoxyproline level in dry granulation tissue, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase levels in wet granulation tissue were estimated in both the groups. Increased wound breaking strength, decreased epithelization period, increased percent wound contraction, increased granulation tissue weight and hydroxyproline concentrations were observed. The increased activity of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, catalase level in extract treated group compared to controls. Granulation tissue was subjected to histopathological examination to determine the pattern of lay-down for collagen using Haematoxylin and Eosin stains which confirm the results. Owing to wound healing and antioxidant activities, O. sanctum may be useful in the management of abnormal healing such as keloids and hypertrophic scars.