Abstract 

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of a standardized extract of Centella asiatica ECa 233 on second degree burn wound in Male Wistar rats. Gel containing 0.05% of ECa 233 as well as a gel base was topically applied, once daily, to a wound generated on the back side of the animals by a 90°C hot plate. Evaluation of wound healing including a visual observation, an estimation of rate of wound healing and measurement of cutaneous blood flow was made at day 3 and 7 post-burning.  In general wound treated with ECa 233 was seemed to heal better than those of untreated or gel base-treated groups. Rate of wound 

healing in rats treated with 0.05% ECa 233 gel was significantly higher than those of untreated and gel base treated groups in day 7 post-burning. In agreement with the healing rate, cutaneous blood flow on day 3, both gel base and 0.05% ECa 233 groups were increased, whereas on day 7 only in 0.05% ECa 233 gel group was increased.  Thus, it is likely that increases of oxygen and nutrient brought about by an increment of  cutaneous blood flow  may, at least, in part, be responsible for the wound healing effects of  ECa 233.  

However, other mechanisms that are relevant to wound healing effects of ECa 233 remain unexplored.  Therefore, it is suggested that studies on effects of ECa 233 on burn wound should be further carried out.   

Keywords : Centella asiatica, second degree burn, wound healing