Chronic wound increases the risk of infection and mortality, hence, the need for effective wound healing strategies. While current therapies are effective, they are expensive and often associated with adverse effects. Natural products remain a safe and promising alternative for promoting the wound healing process. This study aimed to investigate a 1:1 mixture of Eclipta prostrata whole plant and Mangifera indica ethanol leaf extracts as a topical wound care agent. Phytochemical screening was done according to standard methods. Antibacterial activity was assessed through minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and checkerboard testing against clinically relevant Gram-positive bacteria. Acute oral toxicity and dermal irritation were assessed in mice and rabbits, respectively, and wound healing activity was examined using a linear incision wound model in mice. Phytochemical screening showed that the combined extract is rich in flavonoids, tannins, and coumarins. The combined extract showed selective antibacterial activity with additive interactions and an MIC of 0.63 mg/mL for each extract. No deaths occurred at 5000 mg/kg (median lethal dose LD50 > 5000 mg/kg), and dermal irritation scores were negligible. Topical 20× MIC of the combined extract significantly accelerated wound closure from day 2 and achieved healing comparable to 10% povidone-iodine, whereas the 10× MIC of the mixture improved wound healing from day 6 (p < 0.05 vs vehicle). These data indicate that the E. prostrata–M. indica extract combination is safe, well tolerated and enhances wound healing, supporting its potential for development as a topical antimicrobial wound-care formulation.
Doan et al. (Fri,) studied this question.