Plantago lanceolata L. has been used for wound healing in Turkish traditional medicine. In the present study the wound healing and anti-inflammatory effects of the aqueous and methanol extract of P. lanceolata were investiga-ted. In vivo excision and incision wound models were applied on mice and rats for the evaluation of the wound healing effect of P. lanceolata. Inhibitory effect of the extracts on acetic acid-induced increase in capillary permea-bility was assessed by using Whittle Method. Moreover, the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs), glutathione (GSH), total thiols (TSH), hydroxyproline (HP), and tissue trace elements (Zn+2 and Cu+2) were analysed. The aqueous extract of P. lanceolata was found to have wound healing activity in both incision and excision wound models. The results obtained from histopathological analysis also supported the data. Significant anti-inflammatory activity was also detected for both extracts. P.lanceolata significantly reduced the levels of TBARs which is one of the indicators of oxidative stress on the wounded tissue and increased the levels of GSH, TSH and HP. Additionally, P. lanceolata was found to have capacity to increase the levels of tissue Zn+2and Cu+2, both of which are important indicators in the process of wound healing and collagen synthesis. The results indica-ted that P. lanceolata which is used in the treatment of wounds in addition to many illnesses in traditional medicine and is rich in terms of flavanoids has a powerful antioxidant effect and so it has a positive assistance in healing pro-cess. More advanced studies are needed to illuminate the mechanism accurately.
Keywords: Glutathione, Plantago lanceolata, Plantaginaceae, Tiobarbituric acid, Wound healing