Comparative Study between Effect of Punica granatum L. Peel Aqueous Extract and Effect of Honey on Healing of Infected Wound

Abstract

The present study reports the potential effect of Punica granatum L. peels aqueous extract on the in vivo wound healing. A 10 % extract based-ointment was formulated and evaluated for its wound healing in rabbit comparing with topical use of honey and penicillin-streptomycin antibiotic. The ointment was applied in vivo on the paravertebral area of induced excisional wounds once a day for 10 consecutive days. The ointment significantly enhanced the wound contraction and the period of epithelialization as assessed by daily measurement of wound diameter and the histopathological characteristics. Such investigation was encouraged by the efficiency of the pomegranate peel extract as antimicrobial. Indeed, the extract exhibited significant antibacterial activity against isolated bacteria from induced contaminated and infected wounds (Staphylococcus aureus). The formulated ointment might well find use as skin repair agent without hazard to health based on these results and on the fact that it has been well established that the extracts of pomegranate used in conditions similar to those applied by traditional medicine, showed no toxic effects.