Abstract:
Background: Hagenia abyssinica (Bruce) J.F.Gmel (Rosaceae) is distributed in the
highlands of Ethiopia. The flowers of Hagenia abyssinica (Bruce) J.F.Gme are used
traditionally to treat wound. However, there is no scientific report on wound healing
activity of Hagenia abyssinica (Bruce) J.F.Gme before. Thus, this study was initiated to
investigate the wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities of 80 % methanolic crude
extracts of flowers of Hagenia abyssinica (Bruce) J.F.Gmel.
Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the wound healing and antiinflammatory activity of 80% methanol crude flowers extracts of Hagenia abbyssinica
(Bruce) J.F.Gmel in mice.
Methods: Air dried flowers of Hagenia abyssinica (Bruce) J.F.Gme were grounded and
macerated three times successively by 80% methanol. Then part of the dried extract was
fractionated with chloroform, ethyl acetate and water. Phytochemical screening tests were
performed according to the procedures. The crude extract and solvent fractions were
formulated to ointments. Wound healing activity of the crude extract was evaluated using
excision and incision wound models and the wound healing activities of solvent fractions
were evaluated by using excision wound model. The anti-inflammatory activity of the 80%
methanol extract of Hagenia abyssinica (Bruce) J.F.Gme was evaluated using carrageenan
induced hind paw edema model in mice.
Result: The 2000 mg/kg test dose of the 10% (w/w) crude extract ointment was safe in
rats. Both the 5% (w/w) and 10% (w/w) crude extract ointment treated group showed
significant wound contraction starting from day 4th. Both 5% (w/w) and 10% (w/w) crude
extract ointments showed significant (p<0.001) increment of tensile strength compared to
the negative control. The 10% (w/w) aqueous and ethyl acetate fraction ointment revealed
high (p<0.001) percentage of wound contraction. The 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400
mg/kg oral administration of the crude extract had significant inhibition of the paw edema
in mice of carrageenan induced inflammation.
Conclusion: The results of this study evidenced that 80% methanol extract of the flowers
of Hagenia abbyssinica (Bruce) J.F.Gmel exhibited wound healing and anti-inflammatory
effects.
