Wound healing and antiulcer activities of Solenostemma oleifolium (Nectoux) Bullock & E.A.Bruce ex Maire essential oil in rats

Abstract

Context: Solenostemma oleifolium is a Saharan plant part of the traditional pharmacopoeia to treat wound and gastric problems. This work supports the presence of active compounds in the essential oil of S. oleifolium, facilitating the healing process. Aims: To evaluate the wound healing and antiulcer effects of the essential oil of S. oleifolium (EOSO). Methods: EOSO was prepared and analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The toxicity of the product was evaluated by an acute toxicity test and a skin toxicity test. A 1% EOSO cream was prepared and used. The percentage of wound contraction was monitored in an excision model in rats. A histopathological study was conducted on the damaged tissue throughout the experiment. For the ulcer study, two assays were performed in rats: the aspirin-induced gastric ulcer and the pyloric ligation-induced gastric ulcer assays. In the aspirin test, the ulcer index and the percentage of ulcer protection were calculated. Results: The major compounds of the EOSO were linalool (57.1%), terpineol (12.95%), and trans-geraniol (12.66%). EOSO was not considered toxic. In the excision rat model, from day 2 to day 10, the wound contraction was significantly higher (p<0.05) for the EOSO-treated wound than for the non-treated wound. In the aspirin-induced ulcer test, the ulcer index was significantly reduced in the EOSO-treated rats compared to the control rats (p<0.05). Conclusions: The present study demonstrated the wound healing and antiulcer properties of the essential oil of S. oleifolium.