ABSTRACT:
Nigella sativa seeds are used for the treatment of wounds in folklore medicine. To substantiate the claim the volatile oil from the seeds was extracted by steam distillation and was incorporated in a formulation by using polythyleneglycol (PEG) as ointment base. Acute oral toxicity study was carried out following the Up and Down Procedure of the Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substance guidelines. A dose of 2000mg/kg of rat body weight was found to be safe. Excision and incision wound healing models were studied with the ointment applied topically. In dead space wound healing model the extract was administered orally in the form of emulsion. In excision wound healing model the test ointment was compared with Control (PEG), Placentrex gel, a proprietary product of Alber David and Povidone iodine, a non-specific antimicrobial agent. PEG ointment with 10%w/w extract was found to show mean wound healing time (MWHT) of 2.52 days compared to 4.58 days with Control, 2.82 days with Placentrex gel and 3.6 days with Povidone iodine in Excision wound healing model. In Incision wound healing model the breaking strength of the healed wound was found to be 510 gms with ointment of 10%w/w extract compared to 290gms, 492.5 gms, 410 gms with Control, Placentrex gel and Povidone iodine respectively. In dead space wound model 500mg/kg rbw extract was found to produce hydroxyproline concentration that is double to that of Control. Skin irritation study was carried out according to the test methods described in 16 CFR 1500.41. N. sativa seems to promote wound healing activity when administered topically with PEG and orally with Tween 80.