The Effect of Kepok Banana (Musa paradisiaca) Peel Extract on Macroscopic and Histopathological Features of Excision Wound Healing in Mice Skin

Kepok banana peel extract is known to have a bioactive content that can accelerate wound healing. The present study sought to evaluate the effects of Kepok banana peel extract on the macroscopic and histopathological features of excision wound healing in mouse skin. A total of 24 BALB/c mice were divided into four treatment groups, with each group consisting of six mice. The mice were further divided into three subgroups based on observation days, including days 3, 6, and 9. Each mouse received two excision wounds. The four treatment groups included K1 (control), K2 (topical therapy using Kepok banana peel extract ointment 5%), K3 (topical therapy using Kepok banana peel extract ointment 10%), and K4 (topical therapy using Kepok banana peel extract ointment 15%). The Kepok banana peel extract was obtained using the maceration method, and the ointment Kepok was prepared as a cream with extract concentrations of 5%, 10%, and 15%, using bio cream as the base. Wound healing activity was evaluated across three phases, including inflammatory, proliferative, and remodeling. The parameters observed in the current study included macroscopic and histopathological characteristics of the wound. Macroscopic observations involved wound size, while histopathological analysis included quantification of inflammatory cells, fibrocytes, collagen density, and interleukin-6 expression. Therapy using Kepok banana peel extract ointment was administered for 9 days in the treatment groups. Macroscopic features of the wounds were observed daily, and skin samples from each group were collected on days 3, 6, and 9. The results demonstrated that the 5%, 10%, and 15% concentrations of Kepok banana peel extract formed wound healing areas on mouse skin on days 3, 6, and 9, and were able to reduce the number of inflammatory cells on days 3, 6 and 9 able to reduce IL-6 expression on days 3, 6 and 9, unable to increase fibrocytes on day 3, 6, and 9 and able to increased collagen density on days 6 and 9. The 15% concentration of Kepok banana peel extract applied for 9 days showed the greatest potential to accelerate wound-healing.