Ethnopharmacological relevance: Ethnobotanical surveys revealed that Abies bornmulleriana, Abies cilicica, Abies nordmanniana and Cedrus libani have been used to promote wound healing in Turkish folk medicine. Four different fir species (Abies cilicica subsp. cilicica, Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmulleriana, Abies nordmanniana subsp. equi-trojani, and Abies nordmanniana subsp. nordmanniana), Cedrus libani and Picea orientalis were assessed for their in vivo wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities.
Materials and methods: The essential oils from six different coniferous cones were used. In vivo wound healing activity of the plants was evaluated by linear incision and circular excision experimental wound models subsequently histopathological analysis. The healing potential was comparatively assessed with a reference ointment Madecassol(®), which contains 1% extract of Centella asiatica. Additionally acetic acid-induced capillary permeability test was used for the oils' anti-inflammatory activity.
Results: The essential oils from Cedrus libani and Abies cilicica subsp. cilicica demonstrated the highest activities on the both wound models. Moreover, the oil from Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmulleriana was found generally highly effective. On the other hand, the rest of the species did not show any remarkable wound healing effect. Results of the present study support the continued and expanded utilization of these plant species employed in Turkish folk medicine.
Conclusion: The experimental study revealed that Cedrus libani and Abies cilicica subsp. cilicica display remarkable wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities.
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