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ABSTRACT
Citrus paradisi from the family of Rutaceae is known for its therapeutic properties. This research was undertaken to determine the phytochemical composition, evaluation of microbial load and effects of Citrus paradisi aqueous peel extract on wounds of albino Wistar rats. C. paradisi fruits were plucked from a tree, washed, peeled and chopped into small pieces before being shadedried and ground using a laboratory blender into fine powder and then extracted using distilled water. Acclamatized Wistar rats were induced with excision wounds and the extract was applied topically. Phytochemical tests were carried out to check for the presence of secondary metabolites. Microbial load count and characterization test were performed to identify the array of microbes present on the wound surface. Measurement of the diameter of wound surface was carried out over a period of two weeks. Phytochemicals found in the peel extract include alkaloids and flavonoids. Prevalent species of bacteria found on the wound surfaces were Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli and all concentrations of the Citrus paradisi peel extract exhibited significant reduction in bacterial load compared to the negative control. Results showed that wound healing progressed more rapidly in Wistar rats with the topical application of 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg Citrus paradisi aqueous peel extract compared to the control. Findings from this research indicate that Citrus paradisi peel extract significantly contributes to the healing effects on albino on Wistar rats as well as reducing bacterial load on wound surfaces.
