Evaluation of wound healing activity of root of Mimosa pudica.

ETHNO PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Mimosa pudica, commonly known as touch-me-not, is used in folklore medicine in arresting bleeding and in skin diseases.

AIM: There was no scientific evidence justifying the use of Mimosa pudica, therefore the present study was aimed at evaluation of wound healing activity of the plant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study the roots of Mimosa pudica were studied for wound healing activity by incorporating the methanolic and the total aqueous extract in simple ointment base B.P. in concentration of 0.5% (w/w), 1% (w/w) and 2% (w/w). Wound healing activity was studied in three types of model in rats viz. excision, incision and estimation of biochemical parameter. In case of the excision wound model wound contraction and period of epithelization was studied while in incision wound model was evaluated by determining tensile strength and hydroxyproline content in the scab.

RESULTS: Treatment of wound with ointment containing 2% (w/w) the methanolic and 2% (w/w) the total aqueous extract exhibited significant (P<0.001) wound healing activity. The methanolic and total aqueous extracts were analyzed for total phenols content equivalent to Gallic acid. The content of total phenols was 11% (w/w) and 17% (w/w) in methanolic and total aqueous extract respectively.

CONCLUSION: The methanolic extract exhibited good wound healing activity probably due to phenols constituents.