Wound healing potential of aqueous crude extract of Stevia rebaudiana in mice

Characterization and comparative evaluation of wound healing potential of Ajugarin I and Ajuga bracteosa Wall. ex Benth

Ajuga bracteosa (family: Lamiaceae), commonly known as kauri booti, is an important ethnomedicinal plant. The current research was conducted to appraise and compare the in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial profiles as well as in vivo wound healing potentials of Ajugarin I and A. bracteosa extract. Ajugarin I and polyphenols in A. bracteosa were enumerated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography analysis that confirmed significant amounts of Ajugarin I (2.2 ± 0.02 μg/mg DW) and other phenolic compounds (14 out of 17 standards). A. bracteosa (374.4 ± 0.20 µg AAE/mg of DW, 201.9 ± 0.20 µg AAE/mg of DW, 87 ± 0.30%) showed a higher antioxidant profile compared to Ajugarin I (221.8 ± 0.50 µg AAE/mg of DW, 51.8 ± 0.40 µg AAE/mg of DW, 27.65 ± 0.80%) with 1.86-, 3.89-, and 3.15-fold greater activity in ferric reducing antioxidant power, total antioxidant capacity, and free radical scavenging assays, respectively. Likewise, A. bracteosa showed antibacterial activity against 3/5 strains (MIC 25-200 μg/ml) than Ajugarin I (2/5 strains; MIC 50-200 μg/ml). Hemolytic (<2% hemolysis) and dermal toxicity tests rendered both samples non-toxic. Additionally, A. bracteosa (100 ± 2.34% at day 12; 9.33 ± 0.47 days) demonstrated 1.11- and 1.24-fold higher percent wound contraction and epithelization time, respectively, than Ajugarin I (95.6 ± 1.52% at day 12; 11.6 ± 0.47 days) as assessed by an excision wound model in mice. Histopathological examination further reinforced the better wound healing potential of A. bracteosa with good epithelization, collagen synthesis, fibroblast proliferation, and revascularization. Briefly, we endorse the significant comparative antioxidant, antibacterial, and wound healing activities of A. bracteosa and Ajugarin I and present these as prospective candidates for wound healing drugs.

Identification of novel C-15 fluoro isosteviol derivatives for GABA-AT inhibition by in silico investigations

CONTEXT

The treatment of epilepsy is associated with the inhibition of γ-aminobutyric acid-aminotransferase (GABA-AT), which suppresses the concentration of a key neurotransmitter GABA. Isosteviol, a natural bioactive molecule, has been reported to possess an anticonvulsant property. In this work, we first reported a series of C-15 fluoro isosteviol analogs which are bearing different functional groups at C-16 to investigate the interactions with GABA-AT by applying molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation approach. The results revealed that all fluoro isosteviol analogs displayed a greater binding affinity than references vigabatrin, an FDA-approved GABA-AT inactivator, and CPP-115, which has Orphan Drug Designation status, and positioned at the same binding site as references. Furthermore, molecular dynamic (MD) simulation studies on minimum (A1), maximum (E1) binding energy score of fluoro isosteviol analogs, and isosteviol (G1) revealed their stable complex formation in terms of RMSD, RMSF, RG, and hydrogen bond formation. All analogs were found to have drug-like nature, non-toxic, >80% absorption, and the majority tend to penetrate brain-blood-barrier (BBB). The investigations found in this study can help in the development of isosteviol derivatives as drugs for the treatment of epilepsy.

METHODS

The two-dimensional (2D) ligand structures were drawn using ChembioDraw Ultra 14.0. Molecular docking with Autodock4 and molecular dynamic simulation with GROMACS version 2020.1 were performed. The CHARMM27 all-atom force field was applied for writing the topology. Biovia Discovery Studio DS2021 was used for viewing and analyzing the protein-ligand complexes. The data generated from molecular dynamic simulation trajectories were plotted using the Origin® 8 software. The Open Babel software was utilized for extracting SMILEs files of all the fluoro isosteviol analogs. The drug-likeness and ADMET of the molecules were evaluated by SwissADME and ADMETlab 2.0 web tools.

Moroccan medicinal plants traditionally used for the treatment of skin diseases: From ethnobotany to clinical trials

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Skin diseases are among the most common human health affections. A healthy skin promotes a healthy body that can be achieved through modern, allopathic and natural medicines. Therefore, medicinal plants can be a reliable therapy in treating skin diseases in humans through a diverse range of bioactive molecules they contain.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This review aims to provide for the first-time scientific evidence related to the dermatological properties of Morocco's medicinal plants and it aims to provide a baseline for the discovery of new drugs having activities against skin issues.

METHODS

This review involved an investigation with different search engines for Moroccan ethnobotanical surveys published between 1991 and 2021. The plants used to treat skin diseases have been determined. Information regarding pharmacological effects, phytochemical, and clinical trials related to the plants listed in this review was collected from different scientific databases like PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Web of Science and Scopus. The data were analyzed and summarized in the review.

RESULTS

A total of 401 plants belonging to 86 families mainly represented by Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Fabaceae, and Apiaceae which have been documented to be in common use by Moroccans for managing skin diseases. Among those plants recorded, the most commonly used are Allium cepa L, Chamaeleon gummifer (L.) Cass and Salvia rosmarinus Schleid. Mill. Leaves were the most commonly used plant part, while powder and decoction were the most common method of traditional drug preparation. 107 of the 401 plants (27%) have undergone pharmacological validation. A total of 44 compounds isolated from 27 plants were investigated to treat different types of skin diseases, and 25 plants have been clinically studied for their activities against skin diseases.

CONCLUSION

The beneficial effects of using Moroccan medicinal plants to treat skin diseases, according to traditional practices, have been proven in numerous scientific studies. Therefore, other studies should focus on isolating and identifying specific bioactive compounds from plant extracts, revealing more valuable therapeutic properties. Furthermore, additional reliable clinical trials are needed to confirm their beneficial effect on patients with skin diseases.

Wound healing activity of Tropaeolum tuberosum-based topical formulations in mice

Background and Aim:

Tropaeolum tuberosum Ruiz and Pavón, a tuber native to South America, is characterized by its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties that contribute to wound healing. This study aimed to evaluate the healing effect of the topical T. tuberosum formulations (gel and cream) on induced wounds in mice.

Materials and Methods:

Here, an acidic ethanolic extract (1.5 N hydrochloric acid and 96% ethanol at the ratio of 15:85, v/v) was prepared with the tubers of T. tuberosum ecotype black and incorporated into topical cream and gel formulations at 1%. Thirty-twoBalb/c mice were divided into four experimental groups receiving daily topical treatments for 14 days: Group I (control; no treatment), Group II (a commercial ointment of neomycin, polymyxin B, and bacitracin), Group III (1% T. tuberosum gel), and Group IV (1% T. tuberosum cream). The wound closure in the mice was determined during the treatment; then, they were euthanized to obtain skin samples for histopathological analysis.

Results:

Groups III and IV showed a higher percentage of wound closure from the 6^th day of the treatment. From the 8^th day, the effect was greater in Group III. The healing effect was confirmed by the histopathological changes.

Conclusion:

This study concludes that the topical formulations of T. tuberosum demonstrate wound-healing activity in mice, and the most effective treatment is the 1% gel formulation.

Wound healing by topical application of Momordica charantia L. formulations on mice

Background and Aim

Momordica charantia is mainly characterized by its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. The current study aimed to evaluate the healing activity of gel and cream formulations based on M. charantia on induced wounds in mice.

Materials and Methods

Acetonic extract of M. charantia was prepared and incorporated into gel and cream formulations. Mus musculus Balb/c (n=30) with induced injury were distributed into five groups: Group I (control - day 7), Group II (control - day 14), Group III (1% gel - day 7), and Group IV (1% gel - day 14) to which 1% M. charantia gel was dermally applied daily for 7 and 14 days, respectively, Group V (1% cream - day 7) and Group VI (1% cream - day 14) to which of M. charantia 1% cream were dermally applied daily for 7 and 14 days, respectively. Time of wound closure was determined during the experimentation; rats were euthanized with sodium pentobarbital 60 mg/kg/pc v.ip. for obtaining skin samples for histopathological analysis.

Results

Groups IV and VI showed a higher percentage of wound closure on day 14, and in histopathological analysis, effect was greater in Group VI with the presence of fibroblasts and abundant collagen and elastic fibers.

Conclusion

M. charantia gel and cream showed wound healing activity on induced wounded mice; the most effective treatment was M. charantia 1% cream formulation.

An insight on the future therapeutic application potential of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is a native plant to Paraguay. The extracts have been used as a famous sweetening agent, and the bioactive components derived from stevia possess a broad spectrum of therapeutical potential for various illnesses. Among its medicinal benefits are anti-hypertensive, anti-tumorigenic, anti-diabetic, and anti-hyperlipidemia. Statins (3-hydro-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor) are a class of drugs used to treat atherosclerosis. Statins are explicitly targeting the HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme in the rate-limiting step of cholesterol biosynthesis. Despite being widely used in regulating plasma cholesterol levels, the adverse effects of the drug are a significant concern among clinicians and patients. Hence, steviol glycosides derived from stevia have been proposed as an alternative in replacing statins. Diterpene glycosides from stevia, such as stevioside and rebaudioside A have been evaluated for their efficacy in alleviating cholesterol levels. These glycosides are a potential candidate in treating and preventing atherosclerosis provoked by circulating lipid retention in the sub-endothelial lining of the artery. The present review is an effort to integrate the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, involvement of lipid droplets biogenesis and its associated proteins in atherogenesis, current approaches to treat atherosclerosis, and pharmacological potential of stevia in treating the disease.

Mechanisms underlying the wound healing and tissue regeneration properties of Chenopodium album

In the current study, aerial parts (leaves, stem and shoots) of C. album were extracted with methanol and subjected to phytochemical and HPLC analysis. Agar well diffusion method was used for anti-bacterial activity against Gram-negative strains Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram-positive Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Burn was induced through flame heated metal rod on mice. C. album ointment (2% w/w), Vaseline (vehicle) and silver sulfadiazine (standard) were topically applied thrice daily for 15 days. Wound area was measured on day 0, 5, 10 and 15. On last day, the wound tissues were excised and subjected to histopathological, quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical analysis. Phenols, alkaloids, phytosterols, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, carbohydrates and glycosides were detected in phytochemical analysis. HPLC chromatogram displayed peaks for rutin, quercetin, ascorbic acid, gallic acid and various other phyto-constituents. The extract exhibited zone of inhibition in millimeter (mm) against E. coli (12.3 ± 0.57), S. typhyi (14.6 ± 1.52), Klebsiella (11.8 ± 0.76), P. aeruginosa (12.3 ± 0.57), B. cereus (12.5 ± 1.29), S. aureus (18.3 ± 2.08), and MRSA (11.8 ± 0.76). The wound area in C. album group was significantly (60%) reduced as compared to vehicle group (11%). Histological analysis showed complete re-epithelialization and fine tissue in extract treated group. qPCR data revealed up-regulation of EGF, PDGF and TGF-β1 genes in extract treated group. Similarly, immunohistochemistry results confirmed heightened EGFR expression in extract treated group. Our findings suggest that C. album can promote wound healing and tissue regeneration through control of burns related infection and modulation of growth factors and its receptors.

Anti-inflammatory effect of stevioside abates Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA)-induced adjuvant arthritis in rats

Adjuvant arthritis is a chronic, autoimmune and inflammatory disorder of the joints. The occurrence of disorder causes a severe damage to the connective tissue eventually leading to progressive physical disability and eventual death. The recent years of evidence suggests the anti-inflammatory properties of stevioside, a diterpene glycoside. However, the effect of stevioside against adjuvant arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disorder is not known. Hence, the present study was designed to study the effect of stevioside against Freund's complete adjuvant induced arthritis model in rats. The acute anti-inflammatory effect of stevioside also studied by employing carrageenan-induced paw oedema model in rats. The biochemical markers, haematological parameters, lipid peroxidation, myeloperoxidase activity, lipoxygenase activity, the levels of PGE2 and pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-6 & IL-1β) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) were analysed. The protein expression of NF-κB (p65) COX-2 and iNOS in paw tissues were estimated by western blotting. Stevioside treatment significantly ameliorates the adjuvant induced arthritic scoring, histological alterations, paw volume, elevation of biochemical (AST, ALT, ALP and glucose levels) and haematological (haemoglobin, differential and platelet count) parameters and restored the endogenous anti-oxidant (SOD, CAT, GSH and GST) activities. Treatment with stevioside also significantly prevented the adjuvant induced elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β), pro-inflammatory protein expressions (iNOS, COX-2, NF-κB (p65) and pIκB/IκB ratio), prevented the increase in myeloperoxidase activity and significantly restored the anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokine level in paw tissues. Collectively, our findings suggest that stevioside may serve as anti-inflammatory agent and could serve as a potential adjunct therapeutic option in treating adjuvant arthritis.

Synthesis and characterization of pyridine-based organic salts: Their antibacterial, antibiofilm and wound healing activities

In treating wounds, long lasting infection is considered the major impediment. Drugs are rendered ineffective by pathogenic microorganisms via antibiotic resistance and calls for designing and development of new drugs. Herein, we report synthesis of eight different N-alkylated pyridine-based organic salts QAS 1-8 and their antibacterial, antibiofilm and wound healing activities. 3-(2-R-hydrazinecarbonyl)-1-propylpyridinium Bromide was the parent compound while R group was varying in each salt composed of different aromatic aldehyde moieties. In the antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli, amoxicillin shows IC₅₀ near to 25 µg/mL inhibiting 58 ± 0.4% S. aureus while ceftriaxone inhibited 55 ± 0.5% E. coli at a concentration of 10 µg/mL. The highest IC₅₀ (56 ± 0.5% against S. aureus; 55 ± 0.5% against E. coli) was shown by compound QAS 7 at the concentration of 100 µg/mL; followed by the QAS 6 (55 ± 0.5% against E. coli) and QAS 2 (55 ± 0.5% against E. coli). In the antibiofilm activity, QAS 6, QAS 1 and QAS 8 inhibited 58 ± 0.4% S. aureus at a concentration of 75 µg/mL, while QAS 2 inhibited E. coli at the same concentration and amount. QAS 7, 3 and 1 inhibited almost 90% while QAS 6 inhibited 95 ± 1.1%of E. coli at a concentration of 250 µg/mL. Highest MBIC was provided by QAS 7 (52 ± 0.4%) against S. aureus at a concentration of 50 µg/mL that is very near to the standard amoxicillin. Antibacterial and antibiofilm activity results were also supported by the atomic force microscopy (AFM). In the wound healing activity, QAS 8 healed 90.8 ± 4.3% of the wound in 21 days with an average period of epithelialization (POE) of 19 ± 1.4 days; that is far better than povidone iodine ointment (81.5 ± 3.3% of the wound in the 21 days with 22.4 ± 2.9 days of POE). It is concluded from this study that the synthesized compounds QAS 2, 7 and 8 can be used for further mechanistic studies to be employed as antibacterial, antibiofilm and wound healing agents.

Wound Healing Properties of Selected Plants Used in Ethnoveterinary Medicine

Plants have arrays of phytoconstituents that have wide ranging biological effects like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties key in wound management. In vivo wound healing properties of ointments made of crude methanolic extracts (10% extract w/w in white soft paraffin) of three plant species, Cissus quadrangularis L. (whole aerial plant parts), Adenium multiflorum Klotzsch (whole aerial plant parts) and Erythrina abyssinica Lam. Ex DC. (leaves and bark) used in ethnoveterinary medicine were evaluated on BALB/c female mice based on wound area changes, regular observations, healing skin's percentage crude protein content and histological examinations. White soft paraffin and 3% oxytetracycline ointment were used as negative and positive controls, respectively. Wound area changes over a 15 day period for mice treated with C. quadrangularis and A. multiflorum extract ointments were comparable to those of the positive control (oxytetracycline ointment). Wounds managed with the same extract ointments exhibited high crude protein contents, similar to what was observed on animals treated with the positive control. Histological evaluations revealed that C. quadrangularis had superior wound healing properties with the wound area completely returning to normal skin structure by day 15 of the experiment. E. abyssinica leaf and bark extract ointments exhibited lower wound healing properties though the leaf extract exhibited some modest healing properties.

Wound healing effect of Euphorbia hirta linn. (Euphorbiaceae) in alloxan induced diabetic rats

Background

Euphorbia hirta linn., is a species of Euphorbiaceae family. They are known as asthma plant, barokhervi. The plant E. hirta is famous for its medicinal importance among the tribal population. It is a common practice to use the whole to heal wounds. Several pharmacological properties including antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antidibetic, antispasmodic, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anticonvulsant, nootropic, antifertility and aphrodisiac properties have already been reported for this plant. The aim of present work was to evaluate the wound healing property in diabetic animals by oral and topical administration of ethanolic extract of E. hirta whole plant.

Methods

The ethanolic extract of E. hirta was subjected to determine the total phenolic content and total flavonoid content using galic acid and quercetin, respectively as standard. A single injection of alloxan monohydrate (120 mg/kg, i.p.) prepared in normal saline was administered to produce diabetes in rats, after overnight fasting. For analyzing the rate of contraction of wound, excision wounds sized 4.90cm² and of 2 mm depth were used. Oral (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day; p.o.) and topical treatment with the extract (5% and 10% ointment 50 mg/kg/day) and standard (5% povidone iodine ointment 50 mg/kg/day) was started on the day of induction of wound and continued up to 16 days. The means of wound area measurement between groups at different time intervals were compared using ANOVA and Dunnet’s test. The diabetic wound healing mechanism was studied by measuring the plasma level of glucose, malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) in both control and treated groups. For the confirmation of activity, histopathology of the wounds tissues from excision wound model was performed.

Results

Phytochemical investigations showed the presence of various phytoconstituents (carbohydrates, saponins, alkaloids, glycosides, steroids, flavonoids, tannins). In the ethanolic extract of E. hirta the total phenol content was 285 ± 3.22 mg/g whereas the total flavonoid content was 118.46 ± 1.85 mg/g. In the present study, E. hirta caused significant wound closer both orally (35.92%, 44.69% and 61.42% at the doses of 100, 200 and 400, respectively) and topically (32.86% and 36.32% at the doses of 5% and 10%) treated groups as compared to diabetic control. However, the orally treated groups showed more significant effect than the topically treated groups. Moreover, oral administration of E. hirta ethanolic extract significantly reduced the blood glucose levels in diabetic wound rats (p < 0.01) on day 8 and day 16 as compared to the diabetic wound control (p < 0.01). On the other hand, topical application of E. hirta did not influence the blood glucose levels in diabetic rats (p > 0.05). It also demonstrated a significant decrease in the plasma levels of lipid malondialdehyde and nitric oxide. The results of biochemical parameters were further supported by the histopathological changes of different organs (liver, pancrease, kidney, heart and skin from wound area) which were evidenced through a decrease in inflammatory cell infiltration.

Conclusion

The present study demonstrates that E. hirta whole plant extract promotes healing of wounds more significantly as compared to diabetic control rats, where healing is otherwise delayed.

The Effects of Punica granatum Flower Extract on Skin Injuries Induced by Burn in Rats

Background. We compared the efficacy of P. granatum (P) flower extract with that of silver sulfadiazine (SSD) for treating thermal burn injuries in rats. Methods. Ten Wistar rats in each group were topically given base cream, normal saline, cream containing 1% SSD, or creams containing 5% or 10% Punica granatum flower extract. The treatments were administered once daily until complete wound healing was observed. The wound area and healing time were assessed. In addition, percentage wound contraction and histopathological characteristics such as neovascularization and collagen formation were determined. The tannin content in P. granatum extract was determined. Results. The decrease in the average size of wounds on day 15 of the treatment was higher in rats treated with creams containing P. granatum extract than in rats treated with cream containing SSD (2.8 ± 0.9 cm² versus 8.4 ± 3.2 cm²). The wounds completely healed on day 25 of the treatment in rats treated with creams containing P. granatum flower extract compared with those in rats treated with the other agents. Conclusion. These results indicated that P. granatum flower extract promoted wound healing in rats and could be used for managing burn injuries.

The effect of Terminalia chebula extract vs. silver sulfadiazine on burn wounds in rats

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ethanol extract of Terminalia chebula in the treatment of hot water-induced burn wounds and to compare the results with silver sulfadiazine (SSD) in rats.

METHODS

Five groups of ten rats were burned with hot water. Animals were administrated with topical cream at control, normal saline, 5%, 10% T. chebula extracts and standard SSD creams. Several parameters were assessed, including wound area, visual inspection of wound, bacteriology assessment, percentage of wound contraction and histopathological examination.

RESULTS

The average area of wound on 10th day was 11.2 ± 3.3, 11 ± 3.2, 8.5 ± 2.3, 9.5 ± 4.2 and 5.1 ± 2.2 cm(2) for SSD1%, base cream, normal saline, herbal extract 5% and 10%, respectively. T. chebula 10% cream exhibited lower wound size than SSD1% and control groups at 10th day post burn injury. On day 15, the percentage of wound contraction in T. chebula was 5% and 10% more than 18% and 53% in comparison to SSD1% group, respectively. Histopathological results exhibited well-formed horizontally oriented collagen fibers for appropriate tension. Strength of scar on burned tissue was better in T. chebula 5% and 10% as compared with control and SSD groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study showed that T. chebula extract was capable of accelerating wound healing in rats by wound contraction, and had beneficial effects more than SSD 1% cream in the management of burn injury.