ABSTRACT
This study investigated the efficacy of Cucurbita maxima L. (squash) flesh extract as a wound-healing ointment. The research aimed to determine the composition of the extract, the production process of the ointment, appropriate efficacy testing methods, and the antibacterial potential of the ointment on skin wounds. The ointment was formulated using varying concentrations (25%, 50%, and 75%) of squash flesh oil extract combined with beeswax. The wound-healing efficacy was evaluated using an experimental design with albino Mus musculus, where standardized excision wounds were treated with the ointment twice daily for seven days. Wound closure was measured and analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (one-way ANOVA). Findings revealed that all treatment groups had significant wound healing when compared to the control group. The 75% extract ointment had the best wound closure rate, showing that it has great potential as a natural wound-healing agent. The research reaffirms that Cucurbita maxima L. flesh extract contains bioactive compounds that enhance wound healing, validating its traditional use and indicating possible applications in contemporary wound care.