EFFECTIVENESS TEST OF WOUND HEALING ACTIVITY OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF SEA GRAPE 6 th (CAULERPA RACEMOSA) GEL ON WISTAR RATS
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of varying concentrations of ethanol extract of Caulerpa racemosa on the physicochemical
properties of gel formulations and their efficacy as wound healing agents, given the plant’s reported antibacterial, antioxidant, and antiinflammatory
activities.
Methods: The extraction of C. racemosa was carried out through maceration for 3 × 24 hours using 96% ethanol as the solvent. The resulting
ethanol extract was incorporated into three gel formulations containing 0.4%, 1.0%, and 1.6% extract concentrations, respectively. The
formulations were evaluated for physicochemical properties, including organoleptic characteristics, homogeneity, pH, spreadability, adhesion, and
viscosity. Wound healing efficacy was assessed using a wound healing model in male Wistar rats, and statistical analysis was performed to
determine the significance of observed differences. Additionally, in silico analysis was conducted to assess skin permeability (logKp) of the extract
compounds.
Results: Increasing the concentration of C. racemosa extract in the gel led to a decrease in pH, viscosity, and adhesion, while spreadability increased.
Notably, at 1.6% extract concentration, the pH dropped from 7.99 to 4.62, and viscosity decreased from 54.669 cps to 13.629 cps. Wound healing
time was significantly improved with higher extract concentrations: F1 (11.4 d), F2 (9.8 d), F3 (8.2 d), compared to the negative control (14.4 d) and
the positive control (7.6 d). Statistical analysis showed a significant difference in healing times (p < 0.05), although no significant difference was
observed between F3 and the positive control (p > 0.05). In silico findings indicated that most compounds in the extract had logKp values within the
acceptable range for skin permeability (>-3.0 cm/s).
Conclusion: The ethanol extract of C. racemosa influenced the physicochemical properties of gel formulations and enhanced wound healing activity
in a concentration-dependent manner. A 1.6% concentration was found to be the most effective, showing wound healing efficacy comparable to that
of the positive control, suggesting its potential as a natural alternative for topical wound healing treatment.
Keywords: Caulerpa racemosa, Ethanol extract, Gel formulation, Wound healing, Physical characterization
