Evaluation of wound healing potential of the essential oil of Ocimum sanctum L. (Thulasi/basil) containing ointment in female Wistar albino rats

Abstract

A skin ointment containing the essential oil of Ocimum sanctum L. and another skin ointment without essential oil were prepared. 5 mm diameter wounds were created on the back of female Wistar Albino rats. Essential oil containing ointment was applied over the ulcer of one group of rats, while the ointment without essential oil was applied to the ulcer of a second group of animals. The third group of animals was not treated with any ointment. The areas of the ulcers were measured on every fourth day until the ulcers completely healed. The ulcers healed completely in 21.33, 36.00, and 34.67 days in the essential oil ointment group, ointment without essential oil group and untreated group, respectively. Thus the essential oil containing ointment healed the ulcers in significantly lesser number of days (13.34 days earlier) when compared with the ulcers of untreated animal group.