A total of 36 mice were used in the study to evaluate the wound healing property of chayote (Sechium elude) fruit ethanol extract (CFEE) in petrolatum-based ointment. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with the following treatments: T₁ Solcoseryl®, T₂ distilled water treatment, T3-5% CFEE ointment and T4- 10% CFEE ointment. The trial was conducted at NVSU- Animal Health Center-Veterinary Teaching Hospital and the tissue processing was performed at the Veterans Regional Hospital. Gross and histopathologic evaluations were performed by measuring the wound contraction rate, epithelialization, and different wound healing histologic parameters using the semi-quantitative scheme. Results showed that the 5% and 10% CFEE were comparable with Solcoseryl® in terms of wound contraction rate, epithelialization, and histologic evaluation of wound healing and can be used as alternative in the treatment of excision wounds in laboratory mice. Further studies are recommended to explore the wound property of Chayote and its potential as alternative to commercially prepared creams.

Thesis (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine)

Includes appendices and bibliographical references.