Evaluation of Acute Dermal Irritation and Wound Contraction by Gymnema Sylvestre and Datura Metel Extracts in Rats

In this study, to comparatively evaluate whether aqueous extracts of G. sylvestre and D. metel induce acute dermal irritation and or contract wound tests were performed using experimental animals. The skin of the rats was treated with these extracts (0.5g/dose) and whether the animals sustained skin damage was determined by visual observation. The data demonstrated that the aqueous extracts of both plants did not induce acute skin irritation (toxicity) on the skin of the animals as assessed by pathological observations. Wound healing properties were evaluated using excision wound model. The groups of rats were experimentally wounded at the posterior neck area. An area of uniform wound of 7x7mm using millimetre rule was exercised from the dorsal back of the rats. The animal groups were topically treated with G. sylvestre and D. metel gels. Wound dressed with leaf, stem and flower of G. sylvestre and leaf, stem and fruit of D. metel gel significantly heal earlier than those treated with paraffin base, while the leaf and stem of G. sylvestre and leaf and fruit of D. metel healed wound better than povidone iodine. The results from the present study suggest that these aqueous extracts of G. sylvestre and D. metel have promising potential uses as cosmetic ingredients that do not induce significant levels of dermal irritation and exhibit wound healing properties. Wound contraction elicited by these plant parts in this investigation following topical administration strongly corroborates the verbal claims on their efficacy for these activities.