Significance of Croton lobatus L. leaf extract on the healing of surgically created wounds in laboratory rats

Croton lobatus (C. lobatus), has traditionally been utilized for its purported wound-healing properties. Despite its use, scientific validation of its efficacy remains limited. This study aims to evaluate the effects of C. lobatus leaf extracts on wound healing by examining wound contraction, epithelialization, histopathological changes, and biochemical markers in a rat excision wound model. 22-week-old albino rats with body weight of 200 g, were anesthetized, and four excision wounds measuring 1.0 by 1.0 cm were surgically created on their dorsal surfaces. The rats were randomly assigned to four treatment groups: Group A received topical applications of C. lobatus paste; Group B was treated with C. lobatus aqueous extract; Group C served as the control group and was treated with saline solution; and Group D received Cicatrin powder, a commercial antibacterial agent (neomycin & bacitracin). Treatments commenced 48 hrs post-wound creation. Groups A to C, each comprising three rats, underwent gross examination to monitor wound contraction and epithelialization on days 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 post-wounding. On day 22, following complete healing, biopsies were collected for tensometric analysis. In Group D, one rat was sacrificed on days 4, 7, 10, and 13 post-wounding to facilitate histopathological examination and to assess levels of hydroxyproline, hexosamine, total protein, and uronic acid in the granulation tissue. The study revealed that wounds treated with C. lobatus paste and aqueous extract exhibited significantly higher mean percentages of wound contraction compared to those treated with Cicatrin powder. Similarly, the mean percentages of epithelialization were markedly greater in the C. lobatus-treated groups relative to the Cicatrin group. Histopathological assessments indicated a moderate to abundant presence of active fibroblasts in the C. lobatus-treated wounds, whereas the normal saline and Cicatrin groups exhibited fewer fibroblasts. Biochemical analyses demonstrated that granulation tissues from the C. lobatus-treated wounds contained higher levels of hydroxyproline, hexosamine, total protein, and uronic acid, suggesting enhanced collagen synthesis and extracellular matrix formation. This study suggests that the paste and aqueous extracts of C. lobatus significantly promote wound healing and improve biochemical markers associated with tissue repair.