Anacardium occidentale Linn. – a potential wound healing agent

Anacardium occidentale Linn. commonly known as cashew, has been reported to possess anti-diabetic, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiulcerogenic activities. A literature search revealed that ethanol and aqueous extracts of leaves contain carbohydrates, proteins, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins and phenolic compounds. There are no reports on wound healing activity of cashew leaves. Hence the aim of the present study was to investigate in detail the antioxidant, antimicrobial and wound healing activity of leaves of Anacardium occidentale. The powder of dried cashew leaves was extracted with various solvents using Soxhlet apparatus. Prepared extracts were screened for Total Phenolic Content (TPC) using Folin-Ciocalteu phenol reagent method. The hydroalcoholic extract showing the highest TPC was evaluated further for detailed antioxidant and antimicrobial activity against wound pathogens. A topical gel was formulated by incorporating the hydroalcoholic extract in suitable gelling agent. Wound healing activity of this gel was studied by using excision and incision wound models. Betadine was used as a positive control. The hydroalcoholic extract showed potent antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Wounds treated with gel containing 1% w/w hydroalcoholic extract exhibited a statistically significant increase in the tensile strength (P < 0.001) as compared to the control. The epithelialization period was found to be significantly less as compared to control. The results demonstrated that the gel containing hydroalcoholic extract of cashew leaves exhibited excellent wound healing activity on fresh wounds in rats. Thus, Anacardium occidentale Linn. was found to be a potential wound healing agent with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.