Abstract
The present study was carried out to investigate the wound healing properties of Rheum emodi L. (Rhubarb) aqueous extract in rabbits. Eighteen rabbits of either sex in the age group of 9-15 months were divided in three groups (A, B and C), each group comprising of six animals. The group A which served as control was treated with normal saline, the group B was treated with 0.2% nitrofurazone while group C was treated with aqueous extract of Rhubarb. The tissue collected on 4th, 9thand 14thday after creation of the wound, was estimated for hydroxyproline, glucosamine, protein and DNA. The blood samples were collected on day 1 and 7 and estimated for inflammatory markers; IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-alpha. Reduction in wound area was recorded on day1, 4, 8, 11 and 14 after creation of the wound. Group B and Group C showed significant increase in the accumulation of hydroxyproline, glucosamine, protein and DNA as compared to group A animals. There was a significant decrease in IL-2, IL-6, TNF-alpha and wound area in group B and group C animals when compared to group A animals.