Synergistic Effects of Alcoholic Extract of Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) Leaves and Honey on Cutaneous Wound Healing in Rats

Wound healing activities of sweet basil was studies on cutaneous excision wounds in rats. Three groups of male Sprague Dawley rats each consist of 6 animals. Rats were placed individually in cages and all animals were experimentally wounded in the posterior neck area. Pure un-boiled honey was applied topically to wounds of Group 1 animals. Wounds of Group 2 rats were treated with honey in combination with O. basilicum L. alcoholic leave extract and solcoseryl - jelly was applied topically to wounds of Group 3 animals. The effects of vehicles on the rate of wound infections and on the rate of wound healing were assessed. Wounds of all groups of animals showed clean and remain sterile throughout the experiment. Wounds treated with honey in combination with plant extract and those treated with solcosery – jelly significantly (p<0.05) accelerates wound healing compared to wounds treated with honey alone. These results strongly document the beneficial effects of plant extract for the acceleration of wound healing process and the rates of wounds sterility.