In Vivo Wound Healing and Antimicrobial Activities of the Hydroalcoholic Extract and Solvent Fractions of Arisaema schimperianum Schott. (Araceae) Tuber in Mice.

Globally, wounds have become a growing health concern due to the increasing prevalence of vascular diseases. In Ethiopian traditional medicine, plants belonging to the genus Arisaema have long been used to treat wounds and infections. This study aimed at evaluating the wound healing and antimicrobial activities of 80% methanol extract and its solvent fractions from the tubers of Arisaema schimperianum Schott (Araceae). Wound healing activity was assessed in mice using excision and incision wound models, while skin irritation tests were conducted in rats. The evaluation included measurements of wound contraction rate, epithelialization period, tensile strength, hydroxyproline content, and histological analysis. Antibacterial and antifungal activities were assessed in vitro using the broth dilution method. Ointments formulated at 5% and 10% (w/w) concentrations were tested for wound healing efficacy. Both concentrations of the methanol extract and its fractions significantly enhanced wound contraction, accelerated epithelialization, and improved tensile strength compared to controls (p < 0.001), with the aqueous fraction demonstrating the most potent wound healing effect. These findings were corroborated by histopathological analysis. The aqueous fraction also inhibited the growth of all tested bacterial strains, exhibiting stronger activity against Gram-positive than Gram-negative bacteria. The study provides scientific validation for the traditional use of A. schimperianum tubers as a natural therapeutic agent for wound management.