new natural gel of Fagonia indica Burm f. extract for the treatment of burn on rats

ABSTRACT

Fagonia indica Burm f. [Mushikka or white spine] is a plant distributed in the deserts of Asia and Africa and reported to be medicinal in the scientific literature as well as in the folk medicine. Earlier investigations, the authors isolated a number of bioactive constituents from the plant including flavonoids, sterols and tritepenoids; In addition its flavonoidal content was found remarkably high reaching 3% [calculated as flavonol on dry weight]. The present study is an attempt to formulate, characterize and evaluate a natural wound-healing gel preparation containing the crude plant extract. Three formulae [F1-F3] were prepared. The gel properties such as viscosity, swelling ratio, bio-adhesion, in vitro release, stability, microbiological studies, in vivo burn healing test on rats and histopathological features were assessed. The results of the in vitro evaluation and stability studies showed that F3 [0.5% [w/w] of plant extract in 4% [w/w] chitosan] was significantly [p<0.05] the superior compared to other formulations. Besides, from the in vivo burn healing and histological results, F3 enhanced the skin wound re-epithelialization and speed up the healing process compared to the conventional commercial product. Thus, the Fagonia extract loaded chitosan topical gel would be used successfully in burn wound care.