Tridax procumbens L. Extracts: Ethnomedicinal Wound Healing Investigation

This research aims to assess the wound healing activity and antimicrobial potential of various extracts (Methanol, Ethanol, n-Hexane, Chloroform, and Aqueous) derived from Tridax procumbens, a plant traditionally used in wound treatment by tribal communities. The study includes evaluating the antimicrobial activity of the extracts using the agar well diffusion method and preparing plant extract-infused gauze and ointment. Different solvents were used to extract the plant compounds using the Soxhlet apparatus. Antimicrobial activity of the extracts was tested against microorganisms isolated from infected wound samples, cultivated on various media (Nutrient agar, Cetrimide agar, Blood agar, MacConkey agar, and MRSA). Minimum inhibitory concentration was determined using the agar well diffusion method, identifying the antimicrobial efficacy of the plant extracts. The ethanolic extract of Tridax procumbens exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, among other test organisms (Streptococcus, Pseudomonas, Proteus sp.,) isolated from the infected wound samples. Phytochemical tests were conducted to identify bioactive compounds responsible for wound healing, which were subsequently isolated using column chromatography and purified via thin layer chromatography. FTIR analysis was performed to determine the functional groups present, and HPLC was conducted for further characterization. The presence of flavonoids, tannins and terpenoids in the plant extracts was identified as the active ingredients responsible for wound healing. Furthermore, a gauze infused with plant extracts was prepared to facilitate wound healing and an ointment was formulated using the ethanolic extract of Tridax procumbens and an ointment base.