Effectiveness of gel formulation of capa leaf (Blumea balsamifera L.) on wound healing in white rats

Abstract

Background and Aim: The capa plant (Blumea balsamifera L.) has been widely used as a traditional herbal medicine in many parts of the world, including South Aceh, Indonesia. It is generally used for wound healing due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, it is only available as extract or oil, and no gel formulation exists so far. Thus, in this study, we formulated the extract into a pharmaceutical gel and investigated its effectiveness in healing incision wounds in white rats (Rattus norvegicus). Materials and Methods: We collected B. balsamifera leaf samples from Gunongpulo village, South Aceh, Indonesia. We then produced leaf extract through maceration and formulated the extract into a gel using Carbopol 940, methylparaben, triethanolamine, and propylene glycol. We applied the gel to incision wounds in white rats for 7 and 14 days. We then monitored wound healing based on wound length, histology of skin tissues, and levels of cytokine 2 (interleukin-2 [IL-2]). Results: The gel formulation K3 (10% B. balsamifera leaf extract) was the most effective, followed by the gel formulations K2 (5% B. balsamifera leaf extract) and K4 (1% gentamicin ointment, positive control). K3 reduced wound length by 14 mm on day 7 and 29 mm on day 14. Histological analysis showed that fibroblast growth and angiogenesis were most significant in the K3-treated group, exceeding that of the positive control group. The K3-treated group also had the highest IL-2 levels, with an average of 107.7767 ng/L on day 7 and 119.1900 ng/L on day 14. Conclusion: The 10% B. balsamifera leaf gel effectively reduced wound length, increased fibroblast cell growth and angiogenesis, and IL-2 levels, accelerating wound healing.

Fabrication and Biological Activities of All-in-One Composite Nanoemulsion Based on Blumea balsamifera Oil-Tea Tree Oil

“…Notably, both BB, TTO, and glycyrrhizinic acid have been reported to have antiinflammatory effects [13,17,60]. Consequently, we investigated the therapeutic potential of BB-TTO NEs in an AIA rat model, to evaluate their anti-inflammatory activity.…”

“…Blumea balsamifera oil (BB) was extracted and isolated from the leaves of Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC. [11], which has broad spectrum antibacterial [12], anti-inflammatory [13], antioxidant [14], and other biological activities. Tea tree oil (TTO) is a colorless-to-light-yellow oily liquid with an aromatic smell, extracted from the fresh leaves of the tea tree; it is rich in a variety of biological active substances, such as terpenes [15].…”

Enhanced wound healing effect of Areca catechu L. ointment via antibacterial activity and anti-inflammatory process at grade IIA burns in rats

“…In the treatment of burns, antibiotic ointment preparations are used, which are already widely circulated in the market. However, herbal medicines are also used by the community because they have been empirically proven to be useful and are inexpensive, relatively nontoxic, and easy to obtain (4,5).…”