Activity Test of 25% Purified Ethanol Extract of Areca Nut on Excision Wound Healing in Male White Rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Background: Excision wounds are open tissue injuries caused by sharp objects that require a complex healing process involving inflammatory, proliferative, and remodeling phases; therefore, effective and safe therapeutic agents are needed, including natural products such as areca nut (Areca catechu L.), which contains bioactive compounds with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Objective: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of purified 25% ethanol extract of areca nut seeds in excision wound healing in male white rats and to identify the most effective concentration. Method: A true experimental study using a randomized posttest control-only group design was conducted on 25 male Sprague-Dawley rats divided into five groups: three treatment groups receiving extract concentrations of 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5%, a positive control group receiving bioplacenton, and a negative control group receiving vaseline flavum for 14 days. Observed parameters included macroscopic wound diameter reduction and histopathological features such as epidermal regeneration, collagen fibers, fibroblast count, and vascularity. Results and Discussion: The results show that the purified 25% ethanol extract of areca nut accelerates excision wound healing, indicated by faster wound contraction, more mature collagen formation, increased fibroblast activity, and improved vascularization. The 7.5% concentration shows the most optimal healing effect, approaching the positive control. Conclusion: It is concluded that purified 25% ethanol extract of areca nut seeds effectively enhances excision wound healing and has potential as a natural topical therapeutic agent.