Experimental evaluation of the potential of Bridelia ferruginea stem bark in wound management

The methanol extract (ME) of Bridelia ferruginea Benth. stem bark obtained by 48 hr maceration, was subjected to solvent guided fractionation in a silica gel column using petroleum ether, dichloromethane and methanol successively to yield the petroleum ether (PF), dichloromethane (DCMF) and methanol (MF) fractions. The extract (ME) and fractions (DCMF and MF) were assessed for hemostatic activity using bleeding/clotting and coagulation time in rats. The effects of the extract and fractions on wound contraction and rate of epithelialization of excision wounds in rats were evaluated. Also the antimicrobial effects of the extracts and fractions were studied. Data collected were analyzed using one way ANOVA and further subjected to LSD Post Hoc tests.

The extract and fractions significantly (P<0.05) reduced bleeding/clotting time in rats and also reduced the coagulation time of whole rat blood. They also significantly (P<0.05) increased rate of wound contraction and epithelialization of excision wounds compared to control rats; on day 17, extract treated rats showed 99.5–100% wound contraction. The extracts also exhibited antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Eschericia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi and Klebsiella pneumonia.

The results suggest that the stem bark of Bridelia ferruginea exerts beneficial effects in wound management through hemostatic, wound contraction and antimicrobial activities.

Keywords: Bridelia ferruginea, hemostatic, wound contraction, epithelialization, antimicrobial