Pouteria ramiflora leaf extract on emulgel in wound healing activity in diabetic rats

Bioactives derived from Brazilian native flora with antimicrobial and anticancer activity

BACKGROUND

The development of new drugs that act against multidrug-resistant microorganisms and malignant tumors is necessary owing to the limited therapeutic options and high mortality rates associated with these pathologies. In this study, we evaluated the phytochemical groups present in seven plants from the Brazilian Cerrado even as their antioxidant, antiproliferative and antimicrobial activities.

METHODS

The extracts were obtained by the maceration technique and secondary metabolites were determined by phytochemical analysis. The antioxidant activity was assessed by the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging method. The antiproliferative activity of the extracts was assessed using human breast, kidney, and liver neoplastic cells. Cytotoxicity was evaluated in a non-neoplastic cell line - NIH/3T3. The antimicrobial activity of the plant extracts against resistant bacteria and yeasts was determined using disk diffusion assays, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by the broth microdilution technique.

RESULTS

Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, steroids, tannins, and saponins in all of the extracts, with Smilax fluminensis showing the highest levels of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. All tested extracts exhibited antioxidant activity above 50%, notably Tapiria obtusa (82.36 ± 0.44). The T. obtusa extract showed potent antiproliferative activity against the 786-0 cell line (GI50 10.16 ± 2.33 µg/mL) and a significantly greater SI (SI = 24.61) than the control (SI = 3.23, doxorubicin), indicating its selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells and its potential as a therapeutic agent against renal cancer. No cytotoxicity was observed in non-tumor cells. Extracts of S. fluminensis leaves showed fungicidal effects on Candida glabrata (MIC = 500 µg/mL). This study is the first to demonstrate the antibacterial activity of T. obtusa leaf ethanolic extract against MRSA (MIC = 1,000 µg/mL).

CONCLUSIONS

The ethanolic extract of T. obtusa demonstrated antioxidant activity, antiproliferative effects against the 786-0 cell line, and antibacterial activity against MRSA. The ethanolic extract of S. fluminensis leaves exhibited a fungicidal effect against C. glabrata. These findings may pave the way for more effective and safer treatments for managing oncological and infectious diseases.

Insights into the mechanisms of diabetic wounds: pathophysiology, molecular targets, and treatment strategies through conventional and alternative therapies

Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent cause of mortality worldwide and can lead to several secondary issues, including DWs, which are caused by hyperglycemia, diabetic neuropathy, anemia, and ischemia. Roughly 15% of diabetic patient's experience complications related to DWs, with 25% at risk of lower limb amputations. A conventional management protocol is currently used for treating diabetic foot syndrome, which involves therapy using various substances, such as bFGF, pDGF, VEGF, EGF, IGF-I, TGF-β, skin substitutes, cytokine stimulators, cytokine inhibitors, MMPs inhibitors, gene and stem cell therapies, ECM, and angiogenesis stimulators. The protocol also includes wound cleaning, laser therapy, antibiotics, skin substitutes, HOTC therapy, and removing dead tissue. It has been observed that treatment with numerous plants and their active constituents, including Globularia Arabica, Rhus coriaria L., Neolamarckia cadamba, Olea europaea, Salvia kronenburgii, Moringa oleifera, Syzygium aromaticum, Combretum molle, and Myrtus communis, has been found to promote wound healing, reduce inflammation, stimulate angiogenesis, and cytokines production, increase growth factors production, promote keratinocyte production, and encourage fibroblast proliferation. These therapies may also reduce the need for amputations. However, there is still limited information on how to prevent and manage DWs, and further research is needed to fully understand the role of alternative treatments in managing complications of DWs. The conventional management protocol for treating diabetic foot syndrome can be expensive and may cause adverse side effects. Alternative therapies, such as medicinal plants and green synthesis of nano-formulations, may provide efficient and affordable treatments for DWs.