RESUMO
Aims: Objective of the study was to investigate the wound contraction and antiinflammatory activity of the 50% ethanolic extract of Fumaria indica (Hausskn.) Pugsley (Fumariaceae) by excision wound model and estimation of pro-inflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines. Study Design: Prospective. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacognosy and Ethnopharmacology, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India. December 2012 to May 2013. Methodology: Dried powdered whole plant of Fumaria indica was extracted with 50% ethanolic extract. The extract was subjected to HPTLC fingerprinting, DPPH free radical scavenging and antibacterial activities. Further, 10% F. indica ointment was tested for its wound contraction, pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory potentials. Results: The 50% ethanolic extract showed presence of ellagic acid, ferulic acid andquercetin. The IC50 was 0.11mg/mL and significant antibacterial activity was observed against S. aureus and E. coli. The 10% F. indica ointment applied topically to the wound area reducedits size from 500 mm2 to 40 mm2 by the end of 9th day. These results were comparable to the effect of 0.2% nitrofurazone. The extract further showed a reduction in the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFα and IL-6) and an increase in antiinflammatory cytokine IL-10.