Abstract

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF WOUND HEALING OINTMENT USING CALOTROPIS GIGANTEA FLOWER EXTRACT

Sujal A. Jaiswal, Kuldeep S. Kanadje*, Aarti G. Kewat, Ayusha N. Jivrag, Dr. D. K. Vir

ABSTRACT

Wound healing is a natural biological process that involves tissue regeneration and repair. Herbal medicines play an important role in wound management due to their safety, effectiveness, and minimal side effects. The present research project was undertaken to formulate and evaluate a wound healing ointment using Calotropis gigantea flower extract, a plant widely used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and healing properties. The flowers of Calotropis gigantea were collected, authenticated, shade-dried, and extracted using a suitable solvent. The obtained extract was incorporated into a simple ointment base to prepare herbal wound healing ointment formulations. The formulated ointments were evaluated for organoleptic properties, pH, homogeneity, spreadability, viscosity, extrudability, skin irritation, and stability studies. The wound healing activity was evaluated using an experimental wound model, and parameters such as percentage wound contraction and epithelialization period were observed. The formulation containing 3 gigantea flower extract showed enhanced wound healing activity when compared with the control formulation. No signs of skin irritation were observed, indicating the safety of the formulation. The results of the study suggest that Calotropis gigantea flower extract possesses significant wound healing potential and can be successfully formulated into a stable herbal ointment. The developed formulation may be considered a cost-effective and natural alternative for wound management.

Keywords: Calotripis gigantea, Herbal ointment, Flower extract.