Accelerated wound healing ability of Jatropha sap by iota carrageenan-poly (vinyl alcohol) hydrogel film

Jatropha sap (JTS), an important fluid carried in xylem and phloem tubes of Jatropha multifida L. plant, has good wound healing property. However, physicochemical stability of JTS needs to be improved in order for it to be useful as a topical wound-healing agent. In this study, we developed an iota carrageenan-polyvinyl alcohol (IC-PVA) hydrogel film (HF) as a carrier of JTS and evaluated its wound-healing ability. The characterization of JTS secondary metabolites by ultraviolet-Vis spectrophotometry suggested presence of flavonoid, saponin, and alkaloids in the sap. We successfully extracted IC from Euchima spinosum using alkaline solvent at 80°C–90°C with calcium chloride as the precipitator. The result of computer simulation using Discovery Studio software and Autodock Tools showed the presence of hydrogen bonding interaction of IC-PVA. IC-PVA/JTS HF with excellent physical properties including high swelling ratio (246.32%) and high gel fraction (16.75%). In addition, irritation test in mice confirmed the absence of hypersensitivity reaction, redness, and allergic reactions. Interestingly, IC-PVA/JTS HF significantly accelerated wound healing when compared to the nontreated group/control with 98% wound closure by 10 days. These results suggest that IC-PVA HF has improves wound-healing ability of JTS.