In vitro wound healing evaluation, antioxidant and chemical profiling of Baeckea frutescens leaves ethanolic extract

Insights into the wound-healing properties of medicinally important South African Bulbine species - A comparative study

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

South Africa harbours a large number of Bulbine (Xanthorrhoeaceae) species, which includes ethnobotanically important indigenous species. Traditionally, Bulbine leaves are used by several ethnic groups in South Africa to treat dermatological conditions including wounds, which led to the development of Bulbine-containing cosmetic products. However, scientific evidence is needed to support the claims in treating skin conditions and wound-healing.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This comparative study was undertaken to investigate the wound-healing properties of five Bulbine species indigenous to South Africa, using in vitro and in vivo models.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Five Bulbine species, B. abyssinica, B. asphodeloides, B. frutescens, B. latifolia and B. narcissifolia were collected from natural populations in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The chemical profiles of the methanol leaf extracts were acquired using ultra-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection in tandem with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and maximum tolerated concentration (MTC) assay were used to assess the in vitro and in vivo toxicity of the extracts, respectively. The in vitro scratch assay was employed to monitor cell migration and wound-closure in a HaCaT cell monolayer, following treatment with the plant extracts for 48 h. In vivo wound-healing potential was determined using the zebrafish larvae caudal fin amputation assay, assessed in three-days post fertilization larvae and various concentrations of the plant extracts were tested in both assays to determine the concentration-response effect. Data were analysed using MS Excel® enhanced with the Real Statistics add-in.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Using UPLC-MS, 11 major compounds were tentatively identified in the five Bulbine species. Although the compounds varied between species, all five Bulbine species contained the phenylanthraquinone, knipholone. Kaempferol glucoside was identified in four species, but not in B. abyssinica. The five Bulbine species were non-cytotoxic (cell viability > 80%) towards keratinocytes at all three tested concentrations. However, B. latifolia was toxic towards zebrafish larvae at all the tested concentrations, while the other four species were non-toxic at low concentrations. The results of the scratch assay revealed that B. abyssinica was the most active extract at 100 μg/mL. Compared to the untreated control, wound-closure notably increased by 28% (p < 0.05), 44% (p < 0.01) and 34% (p < 0.05) after 12 h, 24 h and 36 h post-treatment, respectively. Although none of the species achieved 100% caudal fin regeneration by the end of the treatment period, B. frutescens demonstrated the highest regeneration (90%) and most significant difference (p < 0.01) compared to the untreated control.

CONCLUSION

The results revealed that the five Bulbine species have complex chemical profiles, however, they share major compound classes (i.e. phenylanthroquinones and flavonoid analogues) across the species. The study highlights the wound-healing properties of the five species, which is consistent with their traditional use.

Optimized production of carboxymethyl cellulose/guar gum based durable hydrogel for in vitro performance assessment

An important objective of researchers is to develop a perfect wound dressing that can effectively treat different kinds of wounds. Natural substances with beneficial qualities, such as plant extracts and biopolymers are an ideal aid for wound care. Hydrogels based on biopolymers offer a lot of promising applications for topical use and are biocompatible, hydrophilic and non-toxic. When employed alone or in conjunction with other active agents, herbal extracts have a great deal of use in the healing of wounds. This study comprises Ruellia tuberosa extract loaded with carboxymethyl cellulose and guar gum hydrogels that have potential anti-bacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hemocompatibility. Using mouse fibroblast cells (L929), the MTT (3- (4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) test was conducted to assess the biocompatibility. Furthermore, the scratch wound assay using the L929 fibroblast cell line of mouse was employed to assess the in vitro wound healing potential of the synthesised composite hydrogels.

Analgesic, Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Wound-Treating Actions of Bitter Apricot Kernel Extract

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) kernels have been widely employed in phytomedicine for treating different ailments. This study aims to unveil the phytochemical composition by HPLC-ESI-MS, in vitro antioxidant activity, and examine certain pharmacological effects of the hydro-ethanolic extract from bitter apricot kernels (BAK). Obtained results indicated that the BAK extract presents a content of 4.58 ± 0.15 mg GAE/g extract of TPA and 1.68 ± 0.09 mg QUE/g extract of TFA, respectively. HPLC-ESI-MS analysis discovered the presence of 17 phenolic compounds including phenolic acids and flavonoids like 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, gallic acid, caffeic acid, (+)-catechin, epicatechin, and others, with associated antioxidant power. Regarding the studied potential pharmacological effects, notable analgesic activity at a dosage of 100 mg/kg BW was recorded with 63.46% protection. In the anti-inflammatory test, significant inhibition was observed after 6 hours of treatment (77.4%) compared to untreated animals. Moreover, the daily application of ointment formulated with 10% BAK extract resulted in a remarkable healing of wounds and burns in rats. These findings underscore the increasing evidence supporting the potential use of apricot kernel extracts in treating various diseases.

Baeckea frutescens L. Promotes wound healing by upregulating expression of TGF-β, IL-1 β, VEGF and MMP-2

Baeckea frutescens L. has been traditionally used for treating snakebites and is known to possess antifebrile and hemostatic properties. These properties are closely related to wound healing. This study aimed to evaluate the wound healing properties of B. frutescens leaves extract (BFLE) in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro study focused on proliferation, migration, and expression of TGF-β, IL-1β, VEGF, and MMP-2 genes and proteins. The in vivo study included excisional wound healing, histology, and tensile strength studies. The ethanolic extract of B. frutescens (BFLE) was tested for its effects on proliferation and migration using keratinocytes (HaCaT) and fibroblasts (BJ) cells. Gene and protein expression related to wound healing were analyzed using real-time PCR and Western blot assays. The wound healing properties of BFLE were evaluated in vivo using Wistar albino rats, focusing on excisional wound healing, histology, and tensile strength studies. The BFLE displayed significant proliferative and migratory effects on keratinocytes and fibroblasts cells, while upregulating the expression of TGF-β, IL-1β, VEGF, and MMP-2 genes and proteins. BFLE also exhibited significant wound healing effects on Wistar albino rats' excisional wounds and improved the overall tensile strength. The results suggest that BFLE has strong wound healing properties, as demonstrated by its ability to increase keratinocytes and fibroblasts proliferation and migration, upregulate genes and proteins involved in the wound healing process, and improve wound healing rates and tensile strength. The findings of this study provide important insights into the potential use of B. frutescens as a natural wound healing agent.

Wound Healing Properties of Natural Products: Mechanisms of Action

A wound is the loss of the normal integrity, structure, and functions of the skin due to a physical, chemical, or mechanical agent. Wound repair consists of an orderly and complex process divided into four phases: coagulation, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. The potential of natural products in the treatment of wounds has been reported in numerous studies, emphasizing those with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, e.g., alkaloids, saponins, terpenes, essential oils, and polyphenols from different plant sources, since these compounds can interact in the various stages of the wound healing process. This review addresses the most current in vitro and in vivo studies on the wound healing potential of natural products, as well as the main mechanisms involved in this activity. We observed sufficient evidence of the activity of these compounds in the treatment of wounds; however, we also found that there is no consensus on the effective concentrations in which the natural products exert this activity. For this reason, it is important to work on establishing optimal treatment doses, as well as an appropriate route of administration. In addition, more research should be carried out to discover the possible side effects and the behavior of natural products in clinical trials.