Ointment-Based Combination of Dittrichia viscosa L. and Marrubium vulgare L. Accelerate Burn Wound Healing

Phlomis crinita Cav. From Algeria: A source of bioactive compounds possessing antioxidant and wound healing activities

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Phlomis crinita Cav. (Lamiaceae), locally known as "El Khayata" or "Kayat El Adjarah", is traditionally used in Algeria for its wound-healing properties.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Investigate, for the first time, the phytochemical profile, safety, antioxidant and wound-healing activities of the flowering tops methanolic extract of P. crinita (PCME) collected from Bouira Province in the North of Algeria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Preliminary phytochemical assays were carried out on PCME to quantify the main classes of bioactive compounds, such as total phenols, flavonoids, and tannins. An in-depth LC-DAD-ESI-MS analysis was carried out to elucidate the phytochemical profile of this plant species. Antioxidant activity was investigated by several colorimetric and fluorimetric assays (DPPH, TEAC, FRAP, ORAC, β-carotene bleaching and ferrozine assay). The acute oral toxicity of PCME (2000 mg/kg b.w.) was tested in vivo on Swiss albino mice, whereas the acute dermal toxicity and wound-healing properties of the PCME ointment (1-5% PCMO) were tested in vivo on Wistar albino rats. Biochemical and histological analyses were carried out on biological samples.

RESULTS

The phytochemical screening highlighted a high content of phenolic compounds (175.49 ± 0.8 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g of dry extract), mainly flavonoids (82.28 ± 0.44 mg of quercetin equivalents/g of dry extract). Fifty-seven compounds were identified by LC-DAD-ESI-MS analysis, belonging mainly to the class of flavones (32.27%), with luteolin 7-(6″-acetylglucoside) as the most abundant compound and phenolic acids (32.54%), with salvianolic acid C as the most abundant compound. A conspicuous presence of phenylethanoids (15.26%) was also found, of which the major constituent is forsythoside B. PCME showed a strong antioxidant activity with half-inhibitory activity (IC50) ranging from 1.88 to 37.88 μg/mL and a moderate iron chelating activity (IC50 327.44 μg/mL). PCME appears to be safe with Lethal Dose 50 (LD50) ≥ 2000 mg/kg b.w. No mortality or toxicity signs, including any statistically significant changes in body weight gain and relative organs' weight with respect to the control group, were recorded. A significant (p < 0.001) wound contraction was observed in the 5% PCMO-treated group with respect to the untreated and petroleum jelly groups between 8 and 20 days, whereas no statistically significant results were observed at the two lower doses (1 and 2% PCMO). In addition, the 5% PCMO-treated group showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) wound healing activity with respect to the reference drug-treated group, showing, at the end of the study, the highest wound contraction percentage (88.00 ± 0.16%).

CONCLUSION

PCME was safe and showed strong antioxidant and wound-healing properties, suggesting new interesting pharmaceutical applications for P. crinita based on its traditional use.

Collagen-polyurethane-dextran hydrogels enhance wound healing by inhibiting inflammation and promoting collagen fibrillogenesis

Diabetic foot ulcers are a serious complication of uncontrolled diabetes, emphasizing the need to develop wound healing strategies that are not only effective but also biocompatible, biodegradable, and safe. We aimed to create biomatrices composed of semi-interpenetrated polymer networks of collagen, polyurethane, and dextran, to enhance the wound healing process. The hydrogels were extensively characterized by various analytical techniques, including analysis of their structure, crystallinity, thermal properties, gelation process, reticulation, degradation, cell proliferation, and healing properties, among others. Semi-interpenetrated hydrogels containing dextran at levels of 10%, 20%, and 30% exhibited porous interconnections between collagen fibers and entrapped dextran granules, with a remarkable crosslinking index of up to 94% promoted by hydrogen bonds. These hydrogels showed significant improvements in mechanical properties, swelling, and resistance to proteolytic and hydrolytic degradation. After 24 h, there was a significant increase in the viability of several cell types, including RAW 264.7 cells, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and dermal fibroblasts. In addition, these hydrogels demonstrated an increased release of interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-beta1 while inhibiting the release of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha after 72 h. Furthermore, these hydrogels accelerated the wound healing process in diabetic rats after topical application. Notably, the biomaterial with 20% dextran (D20) facilitated wound closure in only 21 days. These results highlight the potential of the D20 hydrogel, which exhibits physicochemical and biological properties that enhance wound healing by inhibiting inflammation and fibrillogenesis while remaining safe for application to the skin.

Exploring the wound-healing and antimicrobial potential of Dittrichia viscosa L lipidic extract: Chemical composition and in vivo evaluation

Dittrichia viscosa belongs to the Dittrichia genus, it grows abundantly in the east and northeast of Morocco, and traditionally its fresh leaves are crushed and given for topical application after burns, wounds, and infections. In this study, we examine the wound-healing activity of Dittrichia viscosa lipidic extract in vivo, assess its anti-microbial effect, and explore the specific compounds that contribute to these effects. To assess the effectiveness of wound healing, a burn-induced wound model was employed in Wistar rats, and the levels of hydroxyproline as well as histopathological changes in the skin tissues were evaluated. Furthermore, the antimicrobial potential against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Malassezia furfur was investigated using the agar disc diffusion method. Gas Chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques were employed to analyze the composition of fatty acids, phytosterols, and tocopherols. Topical application of Dittrichia viscosa lipidic fraction ointment exhibited significant improvements in wound contraction, achieving an impressive rate of 82% within 21 days. Additionally, the lipidic extract of Dittrichia viscosa displayed notable efficacy against various microbial strains, including Candida albicans (25.07 ± 0.2), Candida glabrata (24 ± 0.6), and Malassezia furfur (22 ± 0.7). The primary fatty acids identified in the sample were linolenic acid (58.95% ± 0), oleic acid (16.75% ±0.04), and linoleic acid (11.97% ± 0.1). Notably, the sample contained significant amounts of γ-Tocopherols (732.08 ± 21mg/kg), while the sterol fraction primarily consisted of 7-Campesterol (1937 ± 0 mg/kg), 7-β-Sitosterol (1621 ± 0 mg/kg), and Stigmasterol (1439 ± 26 mg/kg). By its richness in active compound content, Dittrichia viscosa effectively accelerates wound healing while safeguarding against microbial infections.

Exploring the Bioactive Compounds in Some Apple Vinegar Samples and Their Biological Activities

Apple vinegar is highly recommended for nutrition due to its health benefits and bioactive components. However, the apple cultivar greatly influences the quality of the vinegar. In this research, our focus was on examining the impact of four different apple cultivars on the physicochemical attributes, chemical composition, as well as biological properties-including antidepressant and anti-inflammatory activities-of vinegar. Interestingly, the physicochemical properties of vinegar and the contents of acetic acid and polyphenols depend on the apple cultivars. HPLC chromatographic analysis showed that citric acid (820.62-193.63 mg/100 g) and gallic acid (285.70-54.40 µg/g) were mostly abundant in the vinegar samples. The in vivo results showed that administration of Golden Delicious apple vinegar (10 mL/kg) to adult Wistar rats reduced carrageenan-induced inflammation by 37.50%. The same vinegar sample exhibited a significant antidepressant effect by reducing the rats' immobility time by 31.07% in the forced swimming test. Due to its high acidity, Golden Delicious vinegar was found to be more effective against bacteria, particularly Bacillus subtilis and Candida albicans, resulting in a MIC value of 31.81 mg/mL. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of various vinegar samples was found to be powerful, displaying optimal values of IC50 = 65.20 mg/mL, 85.83%, and 26.45 AAE/g in the DPPH, β-carotene decolorization and TAC assays, respectively. In conclusion, the apple cultivars used in this study impact the chemical composition and biological activities of vinegar, which may help demonstrate the importance of raw material selection for the production of vinegar.

Research Progress of Photodynamic Therapy in Wound Healing: A Literature Review

Light is an efficient technique that has a significant influence on contemporary medicine. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), which involves the combined action of photosensitizers (PSs), oxygen, and light, has emerged as a therapeutically promising method for treating a broad variety of solid tumors and infectious diseases. Photodynamic therapy is minimally invasive, has few side effects, lightens scars, and reduces tissue loss while preserving organ structure and function. In particular, PDT has a high healing potential for wounds (PDT stimulates wound healing by enhancing re-epithelialization, promoting angiogenesis as well as modulating skin homeostasis). Wound healing involves interactions between many different processes, including coagulation, inflammation, angiogenesis, cellular migration, and proliferation. Poor wound healing with diabetes or extensive burns remains a difficult challenge. This review emphasizes PDT as a potential research field and summarizes PDT's role in wound healing, including normal wounds, chronic wounds, and aging wounds.

Horsetail (Equisetum hyemale) Extract Accelerates Wound Healing in Diabetic Rats by Modulating IL-10 and MCP-1 Release and Collagen Synthesis

Traditionally, Equisetum hyemale has been used for wound healing. However, its mechanism of action remains to be elucidated. For this purpose, a 40% ethanolic extract of E. hyemale was prepared. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of minerals, sterols, phenolic acids, flavonols, a lignan, and a phenylpropenoid. The extract reduced the viability of RAW 264.7 cells and skin fibroblasts at all times evaluated. On the third day of treatment, this reduction was 30–40% and 15–40%, respectively. In contrast, the extract increased the proliferation of skin fibroblasts only after 48 h. In addition, the extract increased IL-10 release and inhibited MCP-1 release. However, the extract did not affect both TGF-β1 and TNF-α released by RAW 264.7 cells. The higher release of IL-10 could be related to the up-/downregulation of inflammatory pathways mediated by the extract components associated with their bioactivity. The extract inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Topical application of the extract accelerated wound healing in diabetic rats by increasing fibroblast collagen synthesis. These results suggest that E. hyemale extract has great potential for use in the treatment of wounds thanks to its phytochemical composition that modulates cytokine secretion, collagen synthesis, and bacterial growth.

Extracts of Brocchia cinerea (Delile) Vis Exhibit In Vivo Wound Healing, Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activities, and Other In Vitro Therapeutic Effects

The plant Brocchia cinerea (Delile) (B. cinerea) has many uses in traditional pharmacology. Aqueous (BCAE) and ethanolic extracts (BCEE) obtained from the aerial parts can be used as an alternative to some synthetic drugs. In vitro, DPPH, FRAP and TAC are three tests used to measure antioxidant efficacy. Antibacterial activities were determined against one Gram positive and two Gram negative strains of bacteria. The analgesic power was evaluated in vivo using the abdominal contortion model in mice, while carrageenan-induced edema in rats was the model chosen for the anti-inflammatory test; wound healing was evaluated in an experimental second degree burn model. The results of the phytochemical analysis showed that BCEE had the greatest content of polyphenols (21.06 mg AGE/g extract), flavonoids (10.43 mg QE/g extract) and tannins (24.05 mg TAE/g extract). HPLC-DAD reveals the high content of gallic acid, quercetin and caffeic acid in extracts. BCEE has a strong antiradical potency against DPPH (IC50 = 0.14 mg/mL) and a medium iron reducing activity (EC50 = 0.24 mg/mL), while BCAE inhibited the growth of the antibiotic resistant bacterium, P. aeruginosa (MIC = 10 mg/mL). BCAE also exhibited significant pharmacological effects and analgesic efficacy (55.81% inhibition 55.64% for the standard used) and the re-epithelialization of wounds, with 96.91% against 98.60% for the standard. These results confirm the validity of the traditional applications of this plant and its potential as a model to develop analogous drugs.

Lipids Fraction from Caralluma europaea (Guss.): MicroTOF and HPLC Analyses and Exploration of Its Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Anti-Inflammatory, and Wound Healing Effects

Caralluma europaea is a medicinal plant used in Morocco to cure a variety of illnesses. This study was conducted to determine the chemical composition, the antioxidant, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing activities of C. europaea lipids. The chemical composition of C. europaea was analyzed using time-of-flight mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. The antioxidant potential was determined using the 2,2-di-phenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) tests. The antiproliferative effect was evaluated by MTT assay against HL60, K562, Huh-7 cancer cells, and normal Vero cells. The anti-inflammatory potential was conducted against carrageenan-induced paw edema. The wound healing effect was evaluated against skin burns for 21 days. The identified phytochemical compounds were docked for their effect on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase, caspase-3, lipoxygenase, glycogen synthase kinase-3-β, and protein casein kinase-1. The results showed the presence of some lipids, such as linoleic acid and vitamin D3. The DPPH (IC50 = 0.018 mg/mL) and FRAP (EC50 = 0.084 mg/mL) of C. europaea lipids showed an important antioxidant effect. For the anti-inflammatory test, an inhibition of 83.50% was recorded after 6 h of treatment. Our extract showed the greatest wound retraction on the 21st day (98.20%). C. europaea lipids showed a remarkable antitumoral effect against the K562 cell line (IC50 = 37.30 µg/mL), with no effect on Vero cells (IC50 > 100 µg/mL). Lignoceric acid was the most active molecule against caspase-3 (−6.453 kcal/mol). The findings indicate the growing evidence of C. europaea as a potential treatment for several diseases.

Exploring Iberian Peninsula Lamiaceae as Potential Therapeutic Approaches in Wound Healing

Skin tissue has a crucial role in protecting the human body from external harmful agents, preventing wounds that frequently demand proper healing approaches. The ethnobotanical knowledge of specific regions with further investigation on their medicinal plants has been paramount to create new and effective therapeutical agents, including for dermatological purposes. This review attempts, for the first time, to investigate the traditional applications of Lamiaceae medicinal plants that are already used by local communities in the Iberian Peninsula in wound healing. Henceforward, Iberian ethnobotanical surveys were reviewed, and the information about the traditional wound healing practices of Lamiaceae was comprehensively summarized. Afterwards, the scientific validation of each Lamiaceae species was exhaustively checked. From this, eight out of twenty-nine Lamiaceae medicinal plants were highlighted by their wound-related pharmacological evidence and are in-depth presented in this review. We suggest that future studies should focus on the isolation and identification of the active molecules of these Lamiaceae, followed by robust clinical trials that may confirm the security and effectiveness of such natural-based approaches. This will in turn pave the way for more reliable wound healing treatments.

Phenolic Composition, Wound Healing, Antinociceptive, and Anticancer Effects of Caralluma europaea Extracts

Caralluma europaea (Guss.) is an important medicinal plant widely used in Morocco for various traditional purposes. Our work aimed to evaluate the phenolic composition, wound healing, antinociceptive, and anticancer activities of C. europaea extracts. Moreover, this study assessed the beneficial effect of C. europaea phytocompounds on the TRADD, cyclooxegenase-2, Wnt/β-catenin, and tyrosine kinase signaling pathways. The wound healing effect of C. europaea formulations against skin burn was evaluated for 21 days. The cytotoxic effect of the C. europaea extracts was evaluated against human leukemic (K562 and HL60) and liver cancer cell lines (Huh-7) using the MTT test. All the phytoconstituents identified by UHPLC in the polyphenols were docked for their inhibitory power on protein casein kinase-1, glycogen synthase kinase-3-β, cyclooxegenase-2, tyrosine kinase, and TRADD. Luteolin and kaempferol are the main compounds identified in C. europaea polyphenols. The group treated with polyphenols showed the greatest wound contractions and all tested extracts presented a significant antinociceptive effect. Polyphenols showed a remarkable antitumoral activity against the K562, HL60 and Huh-7 cell lines. Saponins exerted an important cytotoxic effect against the Huh-7 cell line, whereas no cytotoxicity was observed for the hydroethanolic and flavonoids extracts. Hesperetin and trimethoxyflavone presented the highest docking G-score on tyrosine kinase and cyclooxygenase, respectively.

Solanum elaeagnifolium Var. Obtusifolium (Dunal) Dunal: Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Antifungal Activities of Polyphenol-Rich Extracts Chemically Characterized by Use of In Vitro and In Silico Approaches

The present work was designed to study the chemical composition and the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of fruits (SFr) and leaf (SF) extracts from Solanum elaeagnifolium var. obtusifolium (Dunal) Dunal (S. elaeagnifolium). The chemical composition was determined using HPLC-DAD analysis. Colorimetric methods were used to determine polyphenols and flavonoids. Antioxidant capacity was assessed with DPPH, TAC, and FRAP assays. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using disk diffusion and microdilution assays against two Gram (+) bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC-6633 and Bacillus subtilis DSM-6333) and two Gram (-) bacteria (Escherichia coli K-12 and Proteus mirabilis ATCC-29906), while the antifungal effect was tested vs. Candida albicans ATCC-1023. By use of in silico studies, the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the studied extracts were also investigated. HPLC analysis showed that both fruits and leaf extracts from S. elaeagnifolium were rich in luteolin, quercetin, gallic acid, and naringenin. Both SFr and SF generated good antioxidant activity, with IC₅₀ values of 35.15 ± 6.09 μg/mL and 132.46 ± 11.73 μg/mL, respectively. The EC₅₀ of SFr and SF was 35.15 ± 6.09 μg/mL and 132.46 ± 11.73 μg/mL, respectively. SFr and SF also showed a good total antioxidant capacity of 939.66 ± 5.01 μg AAE/and 890.1 ± 7.76 μg AAE/g, respectively. SFr had important antibacterial activity vs. all tested strains-most notably B. subtilis DSM-6333 and E. coli, with MICs values of 2.5 ± 0.00 mg/mL and 2.50 ± 0.00 mg/mL, respectively. SFr demonstrated potent antifungal activity against C. albicans, with an inhibition diameter of 9.00 ± 0.50 mm and an MIC of 0.31 ± 0.00 mg/mL. The in silico approach showed that all compounds detected in SFr and SF had high activity (between -5.368 and 8.416 kcal/mol) against the receptors studied, including NADPH oxidase, human acetylcholinesterase, and beta-ketoacyl-[acyl carrier protein] synthase.

Investigation on wound healing effect of Mediterranean medicinal plants and some related phenolic compounds: A review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The human skin constitutes a biological barrier against external stress and wounds can reduce the role of its physiological structure. In medical sciences, wounds are considered a major problem that requires urgent intervention. For centuries, medicinal plants have been used in the Mediterranean countries for many purposes and against wounds.

AIM OF THIS REVIEW

Provides an outlook on the Mediterranean medicinal plants used in wound healing. Furthermore, the wound healing effect of polyphenolic compounds and their chemical structures are also summarized. Moreover, we discussed the wound healing process, the structure of the skin, and the current therapies in wound healing.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The search was performed in several databases such as ScienceDirect, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science. The following Keywords were used individually and/or in combination: the Mediterranean, wound healing, medicinal plants, phenolic compounds, composition, flavonoid, tannin.

RESULTS

The wound healing process is distinguished by four phases, which are respectively, hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. The Mediterranean medicinal plants are widely used in the treatment of wounds. The finding showed that eighty-nine species belonging to forty families were evaluated for their wound-healing effect in this area. The Asteraceae family was the most reported family with 12 species followed by Lamiaceae (11 species). Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, and Algeria were the countries where these plants are frequently used in wound healing. In addition to medicinal plants, results showed that nineteen phenolic compounds from different classes are used in wound treatment. Tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol, curcumin, luteolin, chrysin, rutin, kaempferol, quercetin, icariin, morin, epigallocatechin gallate, taxifolin, silymarin, hesperidin, naringin, isoliquiritin, puerarin, genistein, and daidzein were the main compounds that showed wound-healing effect.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, medicinal plants and polyphenolic compounds provide therapeutic evidence in wound healing and for the development of new drugs in this field.

Histopathological Evaluation of the Healing Process of Standardized Skin Burns in Rabbits: Assessment of a Natural Product with Honey and Essential Oils

Skin burns are one of the most difficult medical problems. Recently, studies have been directed towards development of natural products in order to identify effective and safe remedies. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of a natural composite (formulated from honey and essential oils) compared with MEBO® (0.25% β-sitosterol) and DERMAZIN® creams (1% silver-sulfadiazine) in the treatment of thermally induced skin burns. For this purpose, four burn-wounds were created on the back of male New Zealand rabbits (n = 10) using a thermal stamp under the effect of general anesthesia. Each wound represents one of the following groups: non-treated, natural composite-cream, MEBO®-cream, and silver-sulfadiazine treated groups, respectively. Treatments were applied once a day topically until one of these wounds appeared to be healed grossly. The non-treated group received no treatment. Grossly, skin burns have been healed after 28 days of the treatment in all groups except of the non-treated group. The healing efficacy of the natural composite, MEBO® and silver-sulfadiazine creams was quite similar macroscopically. However, microscopically, the epidermal layer of the composite-cream treated group was more mature than those of both MEBO® and silver-sulfadiazine creams treated groups. In conclusion, the tested composite may be a promising effective and inexpensive treatment of skin burns.