Wound infection has become a major medical problem in recent years. This study was conducted to evaluate the healing activity of Capparis spinosa against surgical wounds infected by Escherichia coli. Twenty male rats were divided into two groups. Excisions were created surgically on the animals’ skin and then infected with E coli. Group 1 was treated with C spinosa while Group 2 was untreated. Wound biopsy specimens were collected on days 5, 10 and 16 and analyzed. Results showed that the hydroxyproline content in treatment group was significantly higher in various post wounding days. Protein content increased gradually in ten days. Results of histopathological studies showed moderate to intense granulation tissue formation in treated group on day 10. The histopathological studies showed, that the new epidermis in treated group was thicker than in control group on day 16 post wounding. The present study has demonstrated that ethanol extract of C spinosa includes properties that accelerate wound healing activities.
The antifungal activities of ethanolic extracts of three Saudi plants; camel thorn (Alhagi maurorum Medic.), caper (Capparisspinosa L.), and pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) were investigated in vitro against Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum, Phomadestructiva, Rhizoctonia solani, and Sclerotium rolfsii at concentrations of 0, 3, 6, and 9% (v/v). All tested plant extracts; seeds, roots, and rinds had different degrees of antifungal activity against the tested fungi. When compared with the control, the highest antifungal activity was recorded for camel thorn seeds extract at a concentration of 9%, while, pomegranate rinds extract at 9% came in second. Camel thorn rinds extract came in last even when used at a high concentration. The ethanolic extract of camel thorn seeds may be recommended as a potent bio-fungicide. Extensive studies should be undertaken for the ethanolic extract of camel thorn seeds as a strong antifungal agent against fungal plant diseases.