Comparative Influence of Activated Charcoal on Surgical Wound-Healing Activity of Unripe and Ripe Banana (Musa Sapientum) Peel in Wistar Rats

Abstract

This research study was aimed to compare the influence of activated charcoal on wound healing activity of unripe and ripe banana (Musa sapientum) peel gel in wistar rats. Fifty two wistar rats with an average weight of (190 + 0.08) g were divided into thirteen groups with four rats per group. For use in this research, 4 %, 8 %, 12 % and 16 % (w/w) creams were prepared from ground peels using paraffin base. 4 %, 8 %, 12 % and 16 % creams were supplemented with 1 g, 2 g, 3 g and 4 g of activated charcoal respectively. These creams were applied once daily for 20 consecutive days and the progress of wound healing was closely monitored using parameters such as rate of wound contraction, microbial load count, wound surface protein, Histology, scar area and tensile strength. These parameters were determined on post-wound days 4,8,12 and 16. Creams prepared from unripe banana (Musa sapientum) peel gel supplemented with activated charcoal showed greater wound healing activity when compared with the standard and creams prepared from ripe banana peel gel supplemented with activated charcoal. The highest rate of wound healing was observed in the groups of rats treated with 16% banana peel gel supplemented with 4 g of activated charcoal. The prophylactic effect elicited by Musa sapientum peel gel supplemented with activated charcoal in terms of wound contraction and related biochemical parameters strongly supports the positive influence of activated charcoal on wound-healing activity of Musa sapientum peel.