Preclinical evaluation of effects of aqueous extract of tetrapleura tetraptera fruits on induced diabetic ulcers on rabbits

https://doi.org/10.54037/WJPS.2022.100101

Abstract

Diabetes and its complications especially diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a chronic disease that has plagued humanity for centuries. Despite being one of the oldest diseases composite therapy has eluded the medical world till date. Tetrapleura tetraptera fruits, were crushed and   divided into two equal parts for boiling and burning and soaked in equal volume of sterile water. Analysis of the extract confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and tannins. Twenty-four mature adult rabbits were used for this research. After 12 hours fast, they were injected with freshly prepared alloxan monohydrate, 120 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally. They were divided into three groups of eight rabbits (n=8). Wound excision measuring about 2.2cm was created on the back of the rabbits. The extract and honey were then used to dress the wounds, group I dressed with the extract, group II dressed with honey as standard; group III received no treatment. Wound contraction was measured every two days until complete epithelialization which signified complete closure. Aqueous extract of T. tetraptera fruits showed significant wound healingrate (P < 0.05) and reduced epithelialization time within 16 days. Tetrapleura tetraptera aqueous extract showed great promise and potential of the plant in treating stubborn wounds.