RESEARCHERS at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, have developed an herbal ointment that significantly accelerated wound healing in laboratory animals, raising hopes that plant-based formulations could one day provide affordable alternatives for treating skin injuries.
The study, published in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medical Research, investigated the wound-healing effects of ointments made from aqueous leaf extracts of Acacia nilotica, Aloe vera and Calotropis procera, used individually and in combination.
Acacia nilotica, commonly known as the gum arabic tree or prickly acacia, is one of the most widely used medicinal trees across Africa and Asia. In Nigeria, it is particularly common in the northern savannah and Sahel regions.
Its leaves, bark and pods—known locally as Bagaruwa in Hausa and Booni or Kasia in Yoruba—have long been prepared as poultices or decoctions and applied to cuts, ulcers and burns. Traditional healers believe the plant helps stop bleeding, prevent infection and promote faster wound healing.
Likewise, the clear gel inside the leaves of Aloe vera, known among many Yoruba speakers as Eti Erin (“elephant’s ear”) because of its broad, fleshy leaves, has been used traditionally to treat cuts, burns and wounds by soothing the skin, reducing inflammation and promoting healing.
Aloe vera mouth rinses and gels are also widely used to relieve mouth ulcers, gum inflammation and plaque build-up because of their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Calotropis procera, commonly called Tumfafiya in Hausa, Bomubomu in Yoruba, and known in English as the Apple of Sodom or Giant Milkweed, is another medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine. Its leaves are often warmed and applied to wounds, boils and ulcers to reduce inflammation and encourage healing. The plant is also traditionally used to relieve joint pain, rheumatism, respiratory ailments and toothache.
For the study, the researchers evaluated the ointments using 45 healthy Wistar rats divided into nine groups of five animals each.
One group received no treatment, while another was treated with a standard 5 per cent Betadine ointment. The remaining groups received ointments prepared from individual extracts of Acacia nilotica, Aloe vera or Calotropis procera, or combinations of two or all three plant extracts.
The treatments were applied daily to surgically created skin wounds over 21 days. At the end of the experiment, tissue samples from the wound sites were examined under the microscope to assess skin regeneration, blood vessel formation and collagen deposition.
According to the researchers, the polyherbal formulation stimulated skin regeneration, promoted the formation of new blood vessels and enhanced collagen production—three essential processes involved in wound healing.
The study also found that Acacia nilotica extract demonstrated strong wound-healing properties on its own, with favourable physical characteristics and a rich concentration of biologically active compounds.
However, the combination of Acacia nilotica, Aloe vera and Calotropis procera produced better healing outcomes than most of the individual plant extracts.
Microscopic examination showed that wounds treated with the combined herbal ointment healed more effectively, with faster regeneration of the skin, improved formation of new blood vessels, and increased production of collagen and elastic fibres that help strengthen and repair damaged tissue.
The researchers also observed increased activity of three genes associated with wound repair: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1), and collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1). These genes play important roles in stimulating new blood vessel formation, regulating tissue repair and strengthening newly formed skin.
Chemical analysis of the plant extracts identified several naturally occurring compounds believed to contribute to the healing effects, including fumaric acid, citric acid, succinic acid and malic acid. These compounds are known for their antioxidant and tissue-protective properties, and the researchers believe they likely worked together to accelerate the healing process.
The researchers said that if further studies confirm the ointment’s safety and effectiveness in humans, it could provide a cost-effective option for managing wounds, particularly in low-resource settings where access to advanced wound-care products is limited.
Chronic wounds remain a major global health challenge, especially among people living with diabetes, poor blood circulation and other conditions that delay healing. Such wounds increase the risk of infection, prolonged hospital stays and disability, while placing a significant burden on healthcare systems.
Despite the encouraging findings, the researchers cautioned that the results should be interpreted carefully because the study was conducted in laboratory animals.
They noted that further investigations, including clinical trials in humans, will be needed before the herbal ointment can be recommended for medical use.
Future studies, they said, should establish its long-term safety, determine the optimal formulation and dosage, and confirm its effectiveness in human patients.
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