PROMOTION OF WOUND HEALING BY HYPERICUM PERFORATUM EXTRACT IN RABBIT

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Hypericum perforatum (St Johnʹs Wort) (SJW) on wound healing in rabbit. Wound surface area and histopathological changes following topical application of various concentartions of SJW extract (2, 5 and 10% w/w) in eucerin base were tested on full thickness excision wound in rabbit. Such effect was compared with phenytoin cream (1%) as a standard healing agent. SJW extract significantly reduced the rate of wound healing compared to no-treatment, eucerin or phenytoin treated groups. 2% SJW extract cream showed better healing profile, and the rate of healing was significantly (p < 0.01) shorter than other groups. SJW showed a considerable potential for wound healing possibly by promotion of fibroblast and myofibroblasts proliferation which results in higher rate of wound closure.