Fibroblasts Proliferation and Epithelialization in Wounds Using Ficus Elastica Roxb. ex. Hornem (Rubber Tree) Rootlets Extract on ICR Mice

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Wound is defined as disruption of cellular and functional continuity of a living tissue. There are lots of commercial drugs or medicines being sold and sometimes distributed for the needs of people. However, not everyone receives these medicines and a lot of them cannot afford them because they are expensive. This is the main reason why the demand for making an alternative medicine still persists. It is believed that natural agents induce healing and regeneration of the lost tissue through a variety of mechanisms. This research study aims to test the wound healing activity of Ficus elastica Roxb. ex Hornem.

METHODS

The collected rootlets were air-dried, peeled and extracted by soaking it in 95% ethanol then diluted into 50%, 75%, and 100% concentration. The mice were grouped in a simple random method for acclimatization. After the mice were acclimatized, the 30 test organisms were injected with anesthetic. Before inducing the wound, the area for the wound was shaved. The 2mm wide and 10mm deep wound was induced in the dorsal part of the lumbar area by using a new blade. The treatments were applied using size 12 brushes on each mouse every 12 hours for one week. After a week, the wound part was collected to undergo histological analysis and the results were analyzed.

RESULTS

The histopathology results were categorized by the development of the wound. The results were analyzed using Kruskal Wallis H test with the alpha level 0.05. The data is divided into two: the fibroblasts proliferation and epithelialization. In the results of the fibroblasts proliferation between the concentrations, the 50% and 75% concentration both have the same average. While in epithelialization the 50% concentration showed the best result, which helped in determining how each concentration differ. The final results determined that the50% concentration is the most effective among the three. The results also proved that there is a significant difference between the 50% concentration and the positive control which determines the possibility or the capability of the rubber tree rootlet extract as a wound medicine.

DISCUSSIONS

The null hypotheses were rejected; therefore, the results were positive. The results showed that the rubber tree rootlet extract has a capability of an alternative wound medicine. It also determined that commercially produced products can be replaced with organic products that would provide a safer result for consumers. Although the results were positive the study has flaws that affected the result.