Antioxidant and cicatrizing activity of the species Abarema cochliacarpos (Gomes) Barneby J. W. Grimes

In equine clinics, skin injuries are some of the most frequently treated injuries, this research evaluated the healing potential and antioxidant activity of Abarema cochliacarpos in order to develop a pharmaceutical formulation for treating skin lesions in horses. Firstly, the antioxidant activity of several fractions was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical method and the thiobarbituric acid test. The determination of phenolic compounds was done by means of the Folin-Ciocalteau test. To assess the wound healing activity the dry powdered stem bark and the aqueous, ethanolic and propylene glycol extracts from the same plant, material were incorporated in a gel formulation and evaluated in equines with induced wounds. Results show that all obtained extracts and their fractions have antioxidant action. Regarding the healing evaluation in equines, the extracts tested and the dry powdered stem bark showed statistically significant activity in the contraction of wounds. Histological analysis revealed the powdered stem bark as the best treatment to induce healing of cutaneous lesions in horses. Experimental studies in animals with different dosages and formulations, besides the isolation of its chemical components, as a tool in the discovery of new healing agents or optimization of the existing ones is recommended. Key words: Abarema cochliacarpos, antioxidant activity, wound healing activity.