Double incision wound healing bioassay using Hamelia patens from El Salvador.

Hamelia patens Jacq. (Rubiaceae) has received little attention in the laboratory for its wound healing ability even though it is commonly used as a treatment for wounds throughout Central America. A double incision wound healing bioassay was carried out with a crude extract of Hamelia patens collected from El Salvador. Animals were divided into three groups. Group I (n = 14) had the left incision treated with 5% (w/w) Hamelia patens and the contralateral side with petroleum jelly (PJ). Group II (n = 14) had the left incision treated with 10% (w/w) ointment and the contralateral side with petroleum jelly. Group III (n = 10) had the left incision treated with petroleum jelly and the contralateral side left untreated. Breaking strength of the incisions was measured on day 7 and day 12. For Groups I and II, there was no significant difference between treatment and control incisions at day 7. On day 12, there was a significant difference between the treated and control incisions for Groups I and II. There was no significant difference between petroleum jelly and untreated incisions for Group III on day 7 and day 12. Hamelia patens does increase breaking strength of wounds significantly more than the control group. Further wound healing studies of this plant are warranted.