Despite the historical use of T. cordifolia in Ayurveda for
diabetes, its potential for promoting diabetic wound healing remains
unexplored. This study evaluated the diabetic wound healing ability of
aqueous ethanolic stem extract of T. cordifolia (AETC) in
streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NAD) induced diabetic rats. AETC
extracts were extracted using 70% aqueous ethanolic solvent via Soxhlet
extraction. A full-thickness excision wound was created on the dorsal
skin of STZ-NAD-induced diabetic rats and followed by a 14-day treatment
with AETC extract at high (500 mg/kg) and low (250 mg/kg) doses. The key
parameters, including blood glucose levels, wound contraction
percentage, and epithelisation time were evaluated. Wound tissues were
collected for histopathological analysis. Oral administration of AETC
significantly reduced blood glucose levels over 14 days (p ≤ 0.01) and
notably improved the percentage of wound contraction compared to
diabetic controls (p < 0.05). Both doses also displayed
significant improvement in epithelisation time (p < 0.05).
Histopathological analysis consistently unveiled the healing of the
epidermis, a reduction in inflammation, as well as the enhancement of
granulation tissue formation and collagen deposition. This study
demonstrated the potential ability of AETC not only in lowering the
blood glucose level but also in ameliorating diabetic wound healing.