Therapeutic Potential of Lobelia inflata in Promoting Wound Healing in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Wound healing involves coordinated phases of hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodelling. This study evaluated the wound-healing efficacy of Lobelia inflata ointment at different concentrations (5% and 10%) and compared it with a standard wound-healing agent (1% Betadine). Thirty adult male Wistar rats (>9 weeks old) were randomly divided into five groups (n=6): Group I served as the normal control (untreated), Group II received a simple ointment base (vehicle control), Group III was treated with 1% Betadine ointment (standard group), Group IV was treated with 5% Lobelia inflata ointment, and Group V with 10% Lobelia inflata ointment. Animals were procured from the Department of Life & Applied Sciences, EGICORE-Lucknow (Ref: BEC/EC/21/07/22-3). Wound contraction, tensile strength, and epithelisation were assessed over time. Histopathological examination evaluated collagen deposition, angiogenesis, and reepithelialization. Lobelia inflata ointment enhanced wound healing compared with the vehicle control. The 10% formulation produced the fastest wound closure and greater tensile strength than the 5% ointment. Histopathological analysis demonstrated enhanced collagen deposition, angiogenesis, and re-epithelialization, with the most pronounced tissue remodelling observed in the 10% Lobelia inflata ointment. The findings suggest that Lobelia inflata ointment promotes wound healing, tissue strengthening, and structural remodelling in a concentration-dependent manner. The 10% Lobelia inflata showed superior wound-healing activity, comparable to the 5% concentration. Lobelia inflata extract, particularly at 10%, showed promising wound-healing activity and may serve as a potential natural therapeutic agent for wound management.