Evaluation of Antibacterial and Wound Healing Activity of Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Husk Ash Extract in Mice

Abstract

The present study was carried out to evaluate the antibacterial activity of crude ethanolic extract of Cocos nucifera(coconut) husk ash against some pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli)and their wound healing potential in experimental rats. The wound healing potential of the ethanolic extractointment of Cocos nucifera(coconut) husk ash was evaluated in albino rats using excision wound model. Eighteen ratswere divided into three groups of six each. Group 1 received no treatment (blank ointment base) which is thenegative control, Group II received treatment with 1% silver sulphidiazine and group III received treatment withcoconut husk ash extract. 1% silver sulphidiazine ointment was used as standard for the activity comparison. Woundhealing was monitored on day 4, 8, 12 and 16. Wound healing parameters such as percentage of wound contractionrate and epithelialization period were observed. Studies on the antibacterial activity of crude ethanolic extract ofcoconut husk ash was conducted using agar well diffusion method and the minimum inhibitory concentration wasalso determined. The results showed that topical application of coconut husk ash extract incorporated into anointment base served to accelerate the wound healing process and specifically increased epithelialization in treatmentgroups compared to the other groups. The ethanolic extract of Cocos nucifera(coconut) husk ash inhibited growth ofall test organisms though it was dose dependent. The minimum inhibitory concentration values obtained for thecoconut husk ash extract against Escherichia coli,Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 8 mg/ml,8 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml respectively. The results obtained shows that the Cocos nucifera (coconut) husk ash extract has a good wound healing and antibacterial activity and may be useful in managing wounds.