Revolutionising Wound Healing: Exploring A Novel HerbalHydrogel Formulation of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius andColocasia esculenta

BACKGROUND: Wound healing is a complex biological process involving tissue regeneration and repair. Ethnomedicinal plants have long been used in traditional medicine for wound care due to their natural healing and antimicrobial properties. Colocasia esculenta and Amorphophallus paeoniifolius are two such plants traditionally known for their therapeutic value. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the wound healing potential of ethanolic extracts and hydrogel formulations prepared from the roots of C. esculenta and A. paeoniifolius using in vitro and in vivo models. METHODS: The antibacterial activity of the ethanolic extracts was assessed via the agar well diffusion method. Wound healing efficacy was tested on Wistar albino rats using incision and excision wound models. Histological analysis was performed to observe cellular regeneration and tissue morphology at the wound site. RESULTS: Both C. esculenta and A. paeoniifolius extracts demonstrated significant antibacterial activity. In vivo studies revealed that the ethanolic extracts and hydrogel formulations enhanced wound contraction, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, increased vascularization, and accelerated tissue regeneration compared to standard and control groups. Histological findings supported the enhanced healing activity of the test formulations. DISCUSSION: The enhanced wound healing activity may be attributed to the synergistic antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and tissue-regenerative properties of phytoconstituents present in the extracts. These findings suggest that such hydrogel formulations can potentially reduce reliance on synthetic agents in wound management. CONCLUSION: The ethanolic extracts and hydrogels of A. paeoniifolius and C. esculenta roots exhibit promising wound healing potential and could serve as effective alternative therapies for promoting skin regeneration. These findings support the integration of traditional medicinal knowledge with modern wound care approaches.