Wound healing by topical application of Momordica charantia L. formulations on mice

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Momordica charantia is mainly characterized by its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. The current study aimed to evaluate the healing activity of gel and cream formulations based on M. charantia on induced wounds in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Acetonic extract of M. charantia was prepared and incorporated into gel and cream formulations. Mus musculus Balb/c (n=30) with induced injury were distributed into five groups: Group I (control – day 7), Group II (control – day 14), Group III (1% gel – day 7), and Group IV (1% gel – day 14) to which 1% M. charantia gel was dermally applied daily for 7 and 14 days, respectively, Group V (1% cream – day 7) and Group VI (1% cream – day 14) to which of M. charantia 1% cream were dermally applied daily for 7 and 14 days, respectively. Time of wound closure was determined during the experimentation; rats were euthanized with sodium pentobarbital 60 mg/kg/pc v.ip. for obtaining skin samples for histopathological analysis. RESULTS: Groups IV and VI showed a higher percentage of wound closure on day 14, and in histopathological analysis, effect was greater in Group VI with the presence of fibroblasts and abundant collagen and elastic fibers. CONCLUSION: M. charantia gel and cream showed wound healing activity on induced wounded mice; the most effective treatment was M. charantia 1% cream formulation.