Histopathological Evaluation of Proliferative Phase Wound Healing Following Treatment with Sesame Oil and Morinda officinalis Extract in Rats
Hasan A. Almamoori *
Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Kufa, Najaf, Iraq.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Wound healing is a complex biological process requiring coordinated cellular and molecular responses to restore damaged skin tissue. Natural plant-based therapies such as Morinda officinalis and sesame oil have attracted increasing attention due to their potential regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties in wound management. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of Morinda officinalis extract and sesame oil on wound healing in rats using clinical, macroscopic, and histopathological parameters. A total of twenty male rats were used in this experimental investigation. Standardised full-thickness wounds measuring approximately 2 cm in diameter were created on the dorsal surface of each animal. The rats were randomly allocated into four groups (n = 5 per group): control group (0.9% NaCl), Morinda officinalis extract-treated group (MO), sesame oil-treated group (SO), and a combined treatment group receiving both sesame oil and Morinda officinalis extract (SO+MO). Wound healing progression was evaluated on postoperative days 3, 7, 11, and 14 by measuring wound closure rates. In addition, tissue samples obtained on day 14 were subjected to histopathological examination to assess the quality of tissue regeneration. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant difference in wound area between the Morinda officinalis extract-treated group and the sesame oil-treated group (p < 0.05). Throughout the experimental period, animals treated with Morinda officinalis extract showed significantly smaller wound areas compared with those treated with sesame oil alone, the combined treatment, and the control treatment. Histopathological findings indicated that Morinda officinalis extract enhanced collagen deposition, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, promoted haemostatic activity, and accelerated epithelial regeneration. These findings suggest that Morinda officinalis extract may represent a promising therapeutic agent for enhancing cutaneous wound healing and could serve as a potential alternative treatment for skin wounds.
Keywords: Morinda officinalis, sesame oil, wound healing, histopathology