TITLE:
Use of Ointment or Aqueous Extract of Neem (Azadirachta indica) for the Repair of Experimental Skin Lesions in Sheep
AUTHORS:
Tiago Luís Eilers Treichel, Tales Dias do Prado, Anaíza Simão Zucatto do Amaral, Yeury de Sousa Gomes, Lucas da Rocha Pinto, Guilherme Toledo Martins, Arthur Toledo Martins, Didier Quevedo Cagnini
KEYWORDS:
Phytotherapy, Sheep, Skin, Wound
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.11 No.5,
May
19,
2020
ABSTRACT: The skin is considered the largest organ in the body
and this protective barrier can be broken in some situations. The wound healing
process is a complex mechanism. Based on the difficulties encountered for
treatment, alternatives are sought and one of the options may be phytotherapy. Azadirachta indica, known as Nim, is
perhaps one of the most widely known and used medicinal plants. This research
aimed to evaluate the viability and effectiveness of therapy with Neem, in the
form of ointment or aqueous leaf extract. Eighteen sheep were randomly divided
into three groups and subjected to the creation of a 7 × 7 cm excision wound on the chest wall. After,
treatment was started according to each group. Animals in G1 did not receive
any treatment; in G2, the ointment of Neem was applied and animals in G3 were
treated with the preparation of an aqueous solution of Neem leaves.
Photographic images were recorded, in addition to blood collection for complete
blood count and tissue biopsy. The wound area measurements showed no
statistically significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05).
Fibrinogen levels were not different, and there was no difference in platelet
levels. In the histopathological evaluation, G2 registered a greater presence
of ulceration, when compared to G3, on day 7. On day 14, G2 still had a greater
amount of ulceration, differentiating from G1. G2 also registered a greater
presence of crust and a higher score of granulation tissue, in the last
evaluation period, compared to G3. Analyzing the results obtained in this
research and taking into account the conditions in which the study was carried
out, it is possible to conclude that the use of Neem was not effective in
accelerating the rate of wound healing in sheep.