Evaluation of the Wound Healing Potential of a Polyherbal Formulation Derived from South West Nigerian Medicinal Plants Using Excision and Dead Space Wound Models

Chronic wound management represents a growing clinical and public health burden in Nigeria, with limited access to specialised wound care facilities in peri-urban and rural settings. Polyherbal formulations combining the complementary pharmacological activities of multiple plant species offer a potentially more efficacious approach to wound healing than single-plant preparations. This study develops and evaluates a polyherbal topical ointment containing extracts of Chromolaena odorata, Carica papaya, and Aloe vera sourced from farms in Ondo and Ekiti States, South West Nigeria. Standardised extracts were formulated into a simple ointment base at a 1:1:1 ratio and standardised by HPTLC and phytochemical profiling. Wound healing activity was evaluated in the excision wound model, incision wound model, and dead space wound model in Wistar rats. Parameters measured included wound contraction rate, epithelialisation period, tensile strength of incision wounds, granulation tissue dry weight, and hydroxyproline content. The polyherbal ointment at 5% w/w demonstrated significantly superior wound contraction (94.2% on day 15) compared to both the single plant components and the reference drug framycetin sulphate. Hydroxyproline content and tensile strength were also significantly higher in the polyherbal group. Histopathological evaluation confirmed enhanced collagen deposition and neovascularisation. These findings validate the polyherbal approach and provide a scientific basis for further clinical development of this formulation. Keywords: polyherbal formulation, wound healing, Chromolaena odorata, excision model, South West Nigeria