Evaluation of allium ampeloprasum var. porrum extract gels in a wound healing animal model

Hemorrhoids are one of the most common conditions affecting humans, more than 50% of the population over 50 years of age having experienced hemorrhoid problems. Treatment options mainly depend on the location, grade and severity of hemorrhoids and range from lifestyle modifications, oral and topical medication, nonsurgical and surgical treatment. In this research we aimed to assess the wound healing effect of three gels obtained from Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum bulbus, stem and leaves on an animal model, as a preliminary study for future development of topical preparations with potential use in symptomatic hemorrhoid disease. Three hydrophilic A. ampeloprasum gels were prepared using A. ampeloprasum aqueous, 20% ethanolic and 20% glycerolic extracts. Total polyphenol content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were determined for each extract using the Folin-Ciocâlteu method and the aluminum chloride method. The effect on healing rate was assessed using an animal model of wound healing. The highest TPC and TFC values were obtained with water extraction. A. ampeloprasum 20% ethanolic extract gel induced the highest wound contraction rate and showed the lowest TPC and TFC contents, thus the effect on wound healing could not be correlated with these classes of phytochemicals. The beneficial effect of the hydrophilic gel formulated with A. ampeloprasum var. porrum 20% ethanolic extract on the rat model of wound healing could warrant its potential use in the topical treatment of hemorrhoid disease.