Evaluation of wound healing activity of Agnishikha (Gloria Superba)

Wound healing is a coordinated biological process involving inflammation, proliferation, collagen deposition, angiogenesis and tissue remodeling. The present study evaluated the wound-healing activity of an ethanolic extract of Gloriosa superba (Agnishikha) using phytochemical investigation and experimental wound models in Wistar albino rats. The extract was prepared by Soxhlet extraction and screened for major phytoconstituents. Wound-healing activity was assessed through excision, incision and dead-space models using wound contraction, epithelization time, woundsize reduction, hydroxyproline, total protein, antioxidant parameters and histopathology as outcome measures. The extract produced improved wound contraction, shorter epithelization time, enhanced collagen-related biochemical indices and improved antioxidant status compared with the control group. Histopathological observations showed improved re-epithelialization, collagen deposition, vascularization and granulation tissue formation. These findings support the wound-healing potential of Gloriosa superba and justify further standardization, safety evaluation and mechanistic investigation of its active constituents.