A large number of plants are reported as used by folklore traditions for treatment of cuts, wounds, and burns, Datura metel is the notable one. Only a few scientific reports are confirming such claims. It is important to carry out studies to confirm such claims. The present investigation aimed to assess the in-vivo wound healing efficacy of Datura metal extract-based ointment as well as its anti-microbial potential which is a very important attribute of a potent wound healer using Wistar rats as case a case study. Phytochemical analysis of the crude extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, saponins, triterpenoids, and steroids. TLC spotting of the extract using ethylacetate/n-hexane (7:3) confirmed the presence of more than five compounds with Rf values between 0.1-0.8. The FT-IR of the extract showed the presence of O-H, N-H, C-H (SP2 AND SP3), and C-N signals among others. The results obtained for the extracts at different concentrations against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella typhi, and Bacillus subtilis showed that the activity was concentration-dependent with zones of inhibition ranging from 10 to 28mm in diameter. There were significant differences in the mean percentage of wound healing between groups treated with the extract and sterile water. The group treated with 20% w/w extract-based ointment was found to have the best healing rate closely followed by 10% w/w. It was therefore concluded that the ethanol extract of Datura metel leaves has antibacterial and wound healing properties. This work was carried out in collaboration between the authors. Author FOO designed the study and performed the statistical analysis. Author TTO wrote the protocol and the first draft, author ABF managed the analysis of the study and the literature searches, while Author OM Balogun supervised the animal study.
