In vivo evaluation of Pandanus tectorius fruit ethanol extract gel on skin incision wound healing

Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hang Tuah University, Surabaya, 60244 East Java, Indonesia

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Abstract

Pandanus tectorius is a plant belonging to the Pandanaceae family. Pandanus tectorius fruit contains bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may accelerate wound healing. However, scientific evidence regarding its efficacy in incision wound repair remains limited. This study evaluated the wound-healing activity of Pandanus tectorius fruit ethanol extract gel at concentrations of 10%, 20%, and 30% in male white rats (Rattus norvegicus). Wound length was measured on day 10 and analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Mann-Whitney post-hoc comparisons. Includes organoleptic evaluation, non-specific parameter testing, homogeneity assessment, spreadability measurement test, and pH analysis. The data were non-normally distributed (Shapiro-Wilk, p < 0.05). The Kruskal-Wallis test showed a significant difference among groups (p = 0.031). The 20% extract concentration had the shortest median wound length (0.81 mm; Q1-Q3: 0.75-1.04) and the smallest IQR (0.29), indicating the most consistent healing, while the 30% concentration had a median of 0.93 mm. In contrast, the 10% concentration (median 1.26 mm; IQR 1.25) had a less consistent effect. The result of organoleptic evaluation shows that the semi-solid mixture is yellowish-white at 10% concentration, orange-yellow at 20%, and brown at 30%, it also has a smell that is typical of extracts. P. tectorius ethanol extract gel, particularly at 20% and 30%, significantly accelerated wound healing through antioxidant and collagen-stimulating mechanisms. Future studies should include multiple observation points and histopathological evaluation to validate its clinical potential as a natural wound-healing agent.