Wound Healing Potential of Commiphora gileadensis Stems Essential Oil and Chloroform Extract

Abstract

Essential oils (EOs) prepared from the fresh and dried stems of Commiphora gileadensis were compared qualitatively and quantitatively. Although the components were closely similar, the amount of oil decreased from 2.23 to 1.77% upon drying. Both samples showed equal potencies in the antimicrobial testing. The chloroform extract (CE) of the fresh stems with reported antimicrobial activity was compared with the EO sample of the fresh stems for wound healing potential. For the wound healing assay, 11 mm-diameter full-thickness skin excision wounds were made on the backs of four groups of rats (n = 6). The negative control group I was treated with the cream base. Group II was treated with 2% Fucidin cream, which served as a reference, and groups III and IV were treated with 1% EO- and 3% CE-containing creams, respectively. Treatments were applied topically one time daily. The wound healing potential was evaluated by recording the wound contraction percentages, epithelialization period, and histopathological changes of wounds. The topical application of CE significantly promoted the healing of wounds in rats. The effectiveness was demonstrated through the speed of wound contraction and the shortening of the epithelialization period in an animal treated with CE cream when compared to the NC group. Histopathological studies of the CE cream-treated group also expressed the effectiveness of CE in improving the wound healing process. These findings suggested that CE cream can enhance the process of wound healing in rats.