UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

Wound healing is a complex, multi-phased process that can be severely impaired by prolonged inflammation and infection, leading to chronic wounds with major clinical and economic burdens. Conventional therapies, including antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, face limitations due to antimicrobial resistance and adverse side effects, creating a pressing need for safer and more effective alternatives. Earthworms, particularly Perionyx excavates, have been traditionally used in Asian folk medicine for treating wounds and inflammatory conditions. This study aimed to scientifically validate the therapeutic potential of P. excavates coelomic fluid (CF) through phytochemical characterization, in vitro anti-inflammatory assays, and in vivo wound-healing evaluation. Phytochemical screening revealed CF to be rich in proteins, phenolics, and flavonoids, with GC-MS identifying key bioactive compounds such as palmitic acid and oleic acid. In vitro assays demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory activity, with significant inhibition of protein denaturation, stabilization of red blood cell membranes, and suppression of nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. In vivo, topical application of CF ointment significantly accelerated wound contraction, reduced epithelization period, and enhanced tissue regeneration in excision wound models of Wistar rats. Histopathological analysis confirmed superior collagen deposition and minimal inflammatory cell infiltration in CF-treated wounds. Collectively, these findings provide strong scientific evidence supporting the ethnomedicinal use of P. excavates CF as a multi-functional therapeutic agent with both anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. This research highlights the potential of earthworm-derived biomolecules as promising candidates for the development of novel wound care therapies.