Does Lycoperscon Esculentum (Tomato) Accelerate or Retard Wound Healing in Wistar Rats?

Abstract

The study aimed at determining the effects of Lycoperscon esculentum on the wound healing processes of wistar rats. Excisional wounds were inflicted on the upper dorsolateral trunk of 20 adult male wistar rats. The wounds were dressed every three days (experimental with methanol extract of Lycoperscon esculentum and control with saline). Wound dimensions along two perpendicular axes were taken prior to dressings for the purpose of estimation of wound contraction rates. Granulation tissues were excised from five animals in each group and scar tissues obtained from the remaining animals. Fibroplasia and angiogenesis were evaluated histologically. Matched wound contraction rates were higher in the experimental group. Duration of healing was shorter in the experimental group (19.80 ± 1.64 vs 28.80 ± 4.55 days). Fibroblast counts of granulation tissue were 35.20 ± 17.53 (experimental) and 24.00 ± 8.00; with respective angiogenesis counts of 12.60 ± 8.32 and 15.60 ± 5.77. Respective values for fibroblast and angiogenesis of the scar tissues in experimental and control groups were 18.40 ± 3.7 vs 20.80 ± 5.21; and 14.20 ± 1.92 vs 13.20 ± 1.64). Histological sections of the granulation and scar tissues revealed abundance of collagen and paucity of macrophages in the experimental group. Lycoperscon esculentum promotes wound healing via bactericidal activity, rapid initiation and acceleration of wound  contraction, increased fibroblast production and collagen synthesis.

Key words: Wound healing, Lycoperscon esculentum, Wound contraction, fibroplasia, angiogenesis.