Histological evaluation of wound healing potential of pods of <i>Acacia nilotica</i> aqueous and methanol extracts in rats

Background and aim: Wound is a physical trauma that forms as a result of compromise in the integrity of tissue. Wound healing is a physiological mechanism that comprises series of processes, and involves complex biochemical and cellular interactions which result in restoration of functional integrity and structural regain of injured tissues. Acacia nilotica pod, bark, and stem extracts have been reported to have enhanced healing of wound by increasing epithelialization, collagen fibers formation, angiogenesis as well as wound contraction. This research aimed to investigate histological wound healing effects of Acacia nilotica pod aqueous and methanol extracts in rat model. Methods: Acacia nilotica pod aqueous and methanol extracts were made at different concentrations, wounds were created by skin excision in three groups of rats, wound healing surface areas were assessed, the animals were sacrificed and analyzed histologically. Results: The results showed that both the aqueous and methanol extracts of Acacia pods has significant effect on wound healing surface area with re-epithelialization, wound contraction, fibroblast and collagen formation. Conclusion: Acacia nilotica pod aqueous and methanol extracts speed up wound contraction and wound healing and both extracts at the concentration of 1% and 2% can be used for the treatment of wound.