Evaluation of Wound Healing Properties of Grape Seed, Sesame, and Fenugreek Oils

Elevated nitrogen fertilization differentially affects jojoba wax phytochemicals, fatty acids and fatty alcohols

Jojoba wax is gaining popularity among cosmetics consumers for its skin wound healing and rejuvenation bioactivities, attributed to collagen and hyaluronic acid synthesis. However, information regarding wax phytochemical composition and quality parameters, as well as effect of cultivation practices, and fertilization in particular, on wax quality is limited. The aim of the current work was to study the effect of nitrogen (N) availability to jojoba plants on wax phytochemical composition and beneficial skin-related contents. For this, wax quality from a six-year fertilization experiment with five N application levels was evaluated. The chemical parameters included antioxidant activity, free fatty acid, total tocopherol, total phytosterol and oxidative stability, as well as fatty acid and fatty alcohol profile. Our results reveal that the majority of wax quality traits were affected by N fertilization level, either positively or negatively. Interestingly, while fatty acids were unaffected, fatty alcohol composition was significantly altered by N level. Additionally, fruit load also largely affected wax quality, and, due to jojoba's biennial alternate bearing cycles, harvest year significantly affected all measured parameters. Results shed light on the effects of N application on various biochemical constituents of jojoba wax, and imply that N availability should be considered part of the entire agricultural management plan to enhance wax quality. Some traits are also suggested as possible chemical quality parameters for jojoba wax.

Preliminary evaluation of haemostatic and wound healing potential of Heliotropium europaeum

Heliotropium europaeum has been traditionally used to stop bleeding and accelerate scarring. This study provides a scientific evaluation of H. europaeum haemostatic and healing potential. To evaluate the haemostatic effect of H. europaeum, the time of bleeding of fresh wounds induced experimentally in rats was studied. Excision wounds were induced upon four groups; each one contains six rats to estimate the healing properties of wounds. Group 1 was assigned as control (not treated), group 2 was daily treated with H. europaeum leaf powder, group 3 was treated with H. europaeum every 6 days and group 4 was treated with a reference drug, an emulsion containing 10% of Mimosa tenuiflora extract. All the parameters were significantly tested (p < 0.05) with comparison to a group control. The use of H. europaeum significantly shortened the bleeding time. The rats which were daily treated with H. europaeum healed in 12 days. This time period was significantly shorter than the control groups. Wound excision was uniformly induced randomly on the dorsum of rats in 4 groups (tested support and control). The post-healing biopsies were histologically assessed, revealed a better healing quality, and continued complete tissue regeneration, abundant and well-organized network of collagen fibres, and low numbers of inflammatory cells. The experimental data revealed that H. europaeum displayed remarkable haemostatic and wound healing activities.

Variations in nutritional quality and fatty acids composition of sardine (Sardina pilchardus) during canning process in grape seed and olive oils

Fish canning industries generally use different oils to ensure the juicing stage of canned sardines. In this context, we tested the use of grape seed oil (GSO) which could provide several health benefits to consumers. This study compared its effects on the quality of canned sardine to that of olive oil (OO). Total polyphenols, flavonoids and non flavonoids of the tested GSO were significantly higher than those of the OO. Also, The GSO was rich in polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), namely linoleic acid (65.36% of total fatty acids). The use of GSO in the sardine sardines canning process increased significantly fat, protein and ash contents after 90 days of conservation. The fatty acid profile was dominated by PUFA for all the tested samples. Docosahexaenoic acid was the most abundant unsaturated fatty acid, followed by linoleic acid in GSO samples (20.86 ± 0.06% compared to 1.46 ± 0.05% in fresh sardine) and oleic acid in OO samples. Both atherogenic and thrombogenic indices decreased after the canning process in OO and GSO to less than 1. Thus GSO seems to improve the lipid nutritional quality in fresh sardine. In addition, the values for thiobarbituric acid and Total volatile base nitrogen did not exceed critical limits.

Photosynthetic microorganisms and their bioactive molecules as new product to healing wounds

Wounds are a public health problem due to long periods required to repair damaged skin, risk of infection, and amputations. Thus, there is a need to obtain new therapeutic agents with less side effects, more effective oxygen delivery, and increased epithelial cell migration. Photosynthetic microorganisms, such as microalgae and cyanobacteria, may be used as a source of biomolecules for the treatment of different injuries. The aim of this review article focuses on healing potential using phytoconstituents from photosynthetic microorganisms. Cyanophyte Spirulina and Chlorophyte Chlorella are more promising due to steroids, triterpenes, carbohydrates, phenols, and proteins such as lectins and phycocyanin. However, there are few reports about identification and specific function of these molecules on the skin. In other microalgae and cyanobacteria genus, high contents of pigments such as β-carotene, chlorophyll a, allophycocyanin, and hydroxypheophytin were detected, but their effects on phases of wound healing is absent yet. The development of new topical drugs from photosynthetic microorganisms could be a potential alternative to maximize healing. KEY POINTS: • Conventional treatment to skin injuries has limitations. • Proteins, terpenes, and phenols increase collagen deposition and re-epithelialization. • Microalgae and cyanobacteria may be used as a source of biomolecules to wound healing.

Development and Characterization of Active Native and Cross-Linked Pearl Millet Starch-Based Film Loaded with Fenugreek Oil

In this study, cross-linked pearl millet starch and fenugreek oil was used to develop active starch edible films to overcome the limitations of native starch and to substitute artificial preservatives with natural one. The starch was cross-linked at three levels (1%, 3% and 5%) using sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP), and physicochemical properties were studied. Moreover, a comparative study was conducted among four samples of films prepared using native starch, cross-linked starch, and native and cross-linked starch loaded with fenugreek oil for physical, thermal, mechanical, morphological, and antibacterial properties. The solubility, swelling, and amylose content of native and modified starch varied from 11.25–12.75%, 12.91–15.10 g/g, and 8.97–16.55%, respectively. The values of these parameters were reduced as the concentration of STMP increased. Cross-linked starch films showed lower moisture, solubility, water vapor permeability(WVP), and elongation at break (EB) values while having higher thickness, opacity, thermal, and tensile strength values. The microscopic images of cross-linked starch films showed smooth surfaces and the absence of ridges, pores, and cracks. The films loaded with fenugreek oil showed different results; the moisture content, water solubility, and tensile strength were decreased while thickness, opacity, WVP, and EB were increased. The onset temperature and peak temperature were lower, while enthalpy of gelatinization was increased to a greater extent than films without oil. The addition of fenugreek oil to films showed a good inhibition area of 40.22% for native+oil films and 41.53% for cross-linked+oil films % against Escherichia coli. This study confirmed the successful utilization of fenugreek oil as a very effective antimicrobial agent in preparing edible films.

Fatty Acid Profile, Total Phenolic Content, and Antioxidant Activity of Niger Seed (Guizotia abyssinica) and Linseed (Linum usitatissimum)

Fatty acid composition and antioxidant content are major determinants of vegetable oil quality. Antioxidants are important food components, and there is an increasing interest of replacing synthetic antioxidants with those from natural sources for food industry. The objective of this study was to evaluate fatty acid composition, total phenolic, carotenoid and chlorophyll contents, and antioxidant capacity of different varieties of two oilseed crops. Five niger seed and eight linseed varieties were used. For the analysis of fatty acid composition of the seed oil, gas chromatography method was used. Standard methods were used for total phenolic, carotenoid and chlorophyll contents, and antioxidant properties. In niger seed oil, linoleic acid (C18:2) was the dominant fatty acid, accounting for 73.3% (variety Esete) to 76.8% (variety Ginchi) of the total fatty acids. In linseed oil, linolenic acid (C18:3) was the dominant fatty acid accounting for 55.7 (variety Chilalo) to 60.1 (variety Belaye-96). The total phenolic content ranged from 22.4 mg GAE/g (variety Esete) to 27.9 mg GAE/g (variety Ginchi) in niger seed and from 20.5 mg GAE/g (variety Belay-96) to 25.4 mg GAE/g (variety Ci-1525) in linseed. In niger seed, variety Fogera had the highest values for FRAP and radical scavenging activity. The carotenoid content also showed significant variation among the varieties ranging from 2.57 (Esete) to 8.08 (Kuyu) μmol/g for niger and 4.13 (Tole) to 8.66 (Belay-96) μmol/g for linseed. The FRAP assay showed that variety Fogera of niger seed and variety Chilalo of linseed came on top among their respective varieties with values of 57.2 and 30.6, respectively. Both niger seed and linseed were shown to be rich in bioactive compounds. However, significant variation was observed among the varieties of each crop and among the two crops in their total phenolic and carotenoid contents as well as ferric reducing potential and radical scavenging capacity. Principal component analysis revealed the presence of more than one group in both niger seed and linseed. Hence, genetic variation among the varieties should be utilized for improving their desirable characteristics through breeding. Both oil crops can be used as the source of antioxidants for replacing synthetic compounds.

Incorporation of grape seed extract towards wound care product development

Naturally derived ingredients are becoming more prevalent in therapeutic drug formulations due to consumers' concerns about chemical side effects. In the context of wound care, despite the impressive progress in therapeutic product development, drugs dispensed to treat impaired healing challenged by biofilms; excessive inflammation and oxidation are not yet really effective. Thus, the hunts for improved drug formulations preferably using natural ingredients that are cost-effective in accelerating the wound-healing process are of constant demand. The grape seed extract is extensively studied and is reported to be rich in phenolic compounds, unsaturated fatty acids and vitamins which exhibit numerous therapeutic benefits owing to their anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-oxidative properties that support its potential use in the development of wound-healing products. We conducted a literature study using Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar including the keywords "grape seed extract" and "wound healing". We also scanned all the references cited by the retrieved articles. Accordingly, this review is aimed to (i) explore the various phytochemical constituents found in grape seed extracts along with their mechanism of action that instigate wound healing, (ii) to highlight the latest pre-clinical and clinical assessments of grape seed extract in wound models, and (iii) to encourage innovation scientists in the field to address current limitations and to effectively develop grape seed extract-based wound care product formulations for commercialization.

Mantonico and Pecorello Grape Seed Extracts: Chemical Characterization and Evaluation of In Vitro Wound-Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Activities

The winemaking process produces a huge number of pomaces that generally are used for energy purposes. Further valuable applications such as health-promoting properties are still under investigation. The seeds of the white berries of Mantonico and Pecorello cv. were extracted in a Soxhlet apparatus, using n-hexane and chloroform as solvents. Extracts were characterized by NMR and GC-MS analyses. They were assayed in vitro as wound healing and anti-inflammatory agents in HaCaT and RAW 264.7 cell lines, respectively. n-hexane Mantonico extract resulted in the most interesting wound healing sample, while n-hexane Pecorello, containing a good number of carotenoids, resulted in a good anti-inflammatory candidate. These preliminary findings underlined the benefit of grape seed extracts valorization due to their health-promoting properties.

Protective Effects of Unsaponifiable Matter from Perilla Seed Meal on UVB-induced Damages and the Underlying Mechanisms in Human Skin Fibroblasts

Unsaponifiable matter (USM) from perilla seed meal contains numerous phytochemicals, including tocopherols, phytosterols, squalene, and policosanols, that exhibit antioxidant and health-promoting properties. In this study, the protective effects of USM on UVB-induced skin aging were investigated in Hs68 cells. UVB irradiation decreased cell viability by 26% compared to the control. However, USM blocked UVB-induced cytotoxicity. Moreover, USM treatment significantly decreased the UVB-induced production of reactive oxygen species and attenuated the UVB-induced production and mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) by inhibiting the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and activator protein 1 (AP-1). Furthermore, UVB exposure led to a 49.4% reduction in collagen synthesis. However, USM treatment restored collagen synthesis through upregulation of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)/Smad2/3 pathways. These data indicate that USM regulates the production of MMPs and collagen by modulation of the TGF-β/Smad pathway and AP-1 activity, suggesting that USM may be a useful anti-photoaging ingredient.

Preparation and Comparison of Effects of Different Herbal Oil Ointments as Wound-Healing Agents

Wound healing is a complex process and some agents have been reported to accelerate it. The aim of this study was to evaluate the healing effect of Eucerin-based ointments of lemon, sesame and olive oils on infected full-thickness wounds in rats. Wounds were created on the dorsal surface of Male Albino Wistar rats (n = 12). Wounds were treated with an Eucerin-based ointment containing either of lemon, sesame or olive oils (33% w/w) twice a day for 14 days. Histopathology results showed that contraction of wounds treated with lemon and sesame oils was higher than in the olive oil and control groups on days 10 and 14. In the lemon- and sesame-oil treated groups, on day 14, 50% of rat lesions were completely healed. Total number of inflammatory cells in lemon oil treatment group was significantly smaller than that of others on day 14 (p < 0.001). Also, thickness of the epidermal layer and rejuvenation of the hair follicles and other skin appendages was normal in lemon and sesame oil treated groups. The lemon and sesame oil ointments accelerated the healing process of wounds in macroscopic, morphological and morphmetrical analyses. Therefore, lemon and sesame oil ointments could be considered as alternative dressings for infected full-thickness wounds because of improved wound healing characteristics.

Vegetable butters and oils in skin wound healing: Scientific evidence for new opportunities in dermatology

The use of vegetable butters and oils shows promising results in the treatment of skin wounds, as they have an effective impact on the phases of the wound-healing process through their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative activities and by promoting cell proliferation, increasing collagen synthesis, stimulating dermal reconstruction, and repairing the skin's lipid barrier function. In this article, in vitro and in vivo studies of argan (Argania spinosa), avocado (Persea americana), black cumin (Nigella sativa), calophyllum (Calophyllum inophyllum), coconut (Cocos nucifera), cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), grape (Vitis vinifera), green coffee (Coffea arabica), lentisk (Pistacia lentiscus), linseed (Linum usitatissimum), lucuma (Pouteria lucuma), mango (Mangifera indica), olive (Olea europaea), pomegranate (Punica granatum), pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo), rapeseed (Brassica napus), sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) oils were reviewed. In many cases, vegetable oils proved to be more effective than synthetic wound-healing compounds used as controls. The fatty-acid components of vegetable oils are assumed to play a major role in the wound-healing process, in particular polyunsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid. Evidence shows that oils with a higher linoleic to oleic acid ratio are more effective for lipid barrier repair. However, in depth studies are needed to gain knowledge about vegetable oils' effects on the skin and vice versa.

Carrier oils in dermatology

Wounds are a common medical infliction. With the increase in microbial resistance and a shift of interest towards complementary medicines, essential oils have been shown to be beneficial in suppressing microbial growth. However, in practice, essential oils are more often diluted into a base due to the risk of topical adverse effects, such as dermatitis. There is a lack of collated evidence-based information on toxicity and efficacy of carrier oils. The current information on the subject matter is restricted to generic, aroma-therapeutic books and pamphlets, based on anecdotal evidence rather than an experimental approach. Therefore, this review aimed at identifying the recommended carrier oils used in dermatology and thereafter collating the scientific evidence to support the use of carrier oils together with essential oils recommended for dermatological use. Aloe vera gel had multiple studies demonstrating the ability to enhance wound healing; however, several other carrier oils have been largely neglected. It was observed that the extracts for certain plant species had been used to justify the use of the carrier oils of the same plant species. This is an inaccurate cross assumption due to the difference in chemical composition and biological activities. Lastly, despite these carrier oils being recommended as a base for essential oils, very little data was found on the interactive profile of the carrier oil with the essential oil. This review provides a platform for further studies, especially if essential oils are to receive credence in the scientific field.

Gamma-Irradiation-Prepared Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid Promotes Skin Wound Healing

In this study, we prepared low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (LMWHA) powder by γ-irradiation. The chemical and physical properties of γ-irradiated LMWHA and the in vitro cellular growth experiments with γ-irradiated LMWHA were analyzed. Then, hyaluronic acid exposed to 20 kGy of γ-irradiation was used to fabricate a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/LMWHA fabric for wound dressing. Our results showed that γ-irradiated LMWHA demonstrated a significant alteration in carbon-oxygen double bonding and can be detected using nuclear magnetic resonance and ultraviolet (UV)-visible (Vis) spectra. The γ-irradiated LMWHA exhibited strain rate-dependent Newton/non-Newton fluid biphasic viscosity. The viability of L929 skin fibroblasts improved upon co-culture with γ-irradiated LMWHA. In the in vivo animal experiments, skin wounds covered with dressings prepared by γ-irradiation revealed acceleration of wound healing after two days of healing. The results suggest that γ-irradiated LMWHA could be a potential source for the promotion of skin wound healing.

Effects of Sapindus mukorossi Seed Oil on Skin Wound Healing: In Vivo and in Vitro Testing

Sapindus mukorossi seed oil is commonly used as a source for biodiesel fuel. Its phytochemical composition is similar to the extracted oil from Sapindus trifoliatus seeds, which exhibit beneficial effects for skin wound healing. Since S. mukorossi seed shows no cyanogenic property, it could be a potential candidate for the treatment of skin wounds. Thus, we evaluated the effectiveness of S. mukorossi seed oil in the treatment of skin wounds. We characterized and quantified the fatty acids and unsaponifiable fractions (including β-sitosterol and δ-tocopherol) contained in S. mukorossi seed-extracted oil by GC-MS and HPLC, respectively. Cell proliferation and migratory ability were evaluated by cell viability and scratch experiments using CCD-966SK cells treated with S. mukorossi oil. The anti-inflammatory effects of the oil were evaluated by measuring the nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Antimicrobial activity tests were performed with Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans using a modified Japanese Industrial Standard procedure. Uniform artificial wounds were created on the dorsum of rats. The wounds were treated with a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/hyaluronic acid (HA)/sodium alginate (SA) hydrogel for releasing the S. mukorossi seed oil. The wound sizes were measured photographically for 12 days and were compared to wounds covered with analogous membranes containing a saline solution. Our results showed that the S. mukorossi seed oil used in this study contains abundant monounsaturated fatty acids, β-sitosterol, and δ-tocopherol. In the in vitro tests, S. mukorossi seed oil prompted cell proliferation and migration capability. Additionally, the oil had significant anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial activities. In the in vivo animal experiments, S. mukorossi seed oil-treated wounds revealed acceleration of sequential skin wound healing events after two days of healing. The size of oil-treated wound decreased to half the size of the untreated control after eight days of healing. The results suggest that S. mukorossi seed oil could be a potential source for promoting skin wound healing.