Evaluation of wound healing potential of methanolic extract of Ocimum sanctum and Tinospora cordifolia ointments in experimental wounds of dog

The aim of the study was to explore the wound healing and antimicrobial effects of methanolic extract of the whole leaves of Ocimum sanctum and Tinospora cordifolia in 12 dogs divided in three groups. Four full thickness skin wounds were created in the thoraco-lumbar region of each dog and the wounds in the experimental groups were dressed with 5% methanolic extract of Ocimum sanctum and Tinospora cordifolia, while the animals in the control group were dressed with normal saline. The wound area was measured in all groups of animals at 3^rd, 10^th, 17^th and 24^th postoperative day and the percentage wound contraction calculated. Biopsy samples of granulation tissues were also obtained from wounds in each group at each interval and used for biochemical and histopathological studies. The result showed significant increase in the percentage wound contraction at day 10 in the Ocimum sanctum and Tinospora cordifolia extract treated groups. The wounds of the animals in both extract treated groups showed excellent granulation tissue formation. Tissue collagen and elastin levels were comparatively higher in Ocimum sanctum treated group, and the wounds treated with Ocimum sanctum extract healed faster as compared to Tinospora cordifolia and normal saline treated groups. The bacterial load in the healing wounds of treatment groups was relatively lesser as compared to that in control group.