Healing effect of the microemulsion enriched with hydroalcoholic extract of Abarema cochliacarpa (Gomes) Barneby J. W. Grimes (Fabaceae)

Abstract

Abarema cochliocarpa is an endemic plant of Brazil and has been traditionally used as a popular medicine to treat various diseases and mostly as a healing agent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the healing effect of the microemulsion containing hydrometanic fraction of the inner bark (HMF) of the plant, as well as its antioxidant, antitumor and cytotoxic potential. The cytotoxicity of HMF was assessed by the viability of J774 macrophages cells and the antiproliferative activity in lines of human tumor cells. The antioxidant capacity of the formulation was evaluated in vitro by the ability to scavenge the DPPH and the healing effect was evaluated in Rattus novergicus in 7, 14, 21 days. The HMF significantly favored the viability of J774 macrophages in all tested concentrations and it was dosedependent. The antiproliferative potential of FHM against human tumor cells was not satisfactory. This formulation presented CE 50 of 24.87 ± 0.62 µg.mL -1 , and healing effect of 55.18 and 100% of wound retraction up to the 7th and 21 st days of treatment, respectively. The bioactive compound of HMF isolated by HPLC was identified by 1 H and 13 C NMR and by literature data as (+)-catechin. The formulation has curative effect. It can be concluded that the phenolic compounds act in the reduction of oxidative stress and contribute to faster healing.