ABSTRACT:
The objective of this research work is to perform dermal toxicity studies of PVA-gelatin hydrogel sheet incorporated with Ziziphus oenoplia extract and hydrogel films without extract on adult New Zealand white rabbits in order to observe their safety profile on dermal application for wound healing. Fifteen adult healthy rabbits (male and female) were divided into groups of three each and were applied with the hydrogel formulations. Hydrogels without extract (4 g/kg body weight), with extract (1 g/kg, 2 g/kg and 4 g/kg body weight of animals) and control (0.9 % NaCl solution) were applied on the dorsolateral trunk of the rabbits. The animals were observed during time intervals of 24 h, 48 h and 72 h for evaluation of mortality or morbidity, body weight variations, food consumption and any skin reactions such as erythema or edema formation. After performing the tests no clinical signs of intoxication were found in all the 5 groups of rabbits. It has been observed that no mortality or morbidity, skin reactions or no drastic change in body weight and food consumption could be seen on the groups of animals treated with hydrogel formulations without extract, with extract as well as the control. From this study it can be concluded that the hydrogel formulations were devoid of toxic effects and were safe to be used dermally on animal models.