Efficacy of gamat extract in wound healing in albino wistar rats

Stichopus horrens (Gamat: Malay word for sea cucumber) belongs to the family Holothuroidea. It is very abundant in coastal regions of Malaysia and Indonesia. It is a Malay traditional medicine and has been used to cure various ailments for 300 years. Anecdotes claims that, people have used Gamat as a medicine after childbirth and surgery, wound healing, ulcer, chest pain, pneumonia and asthma. However there are no scientific reports on wound healing activity of the sea cucumber, Stichopus horrens (Gamat). An experimental study was carried out to evaluate the wound healing potential of Stichopus horrens (S. horrens) in Rattus norvegicus. All experiments were conducted following standard procedures. The extract of S. horrens in the form of oil was used for evaluating the wound healing potential in excision wound model. Percentage of wound contraction and period of epithelization was studied. Stichopus horrens processed oil demonstrated higher percentage of wound contraction compared to the standard (Povidone iodine ointment) and the control. Period of epithelization was not hastened. The wound contraction elicited by Stichopus horrens in this investigation following topical administration strongly supports the verbal claim of traditional doctors on the use of this processed oil.