Wound healing activity of the hydroethanolic extract of the leaves of Maytenus ilicifolia Mart. Ex Reis

Abstract

Background and Aim Maytenus ilicifolia has analgesic, healing, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study evaluated effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of M. ilicifolia leaves on skin wound repair. Experimental procedure Wounds were induced on mice and treated with the extract. The treatment was performed daily, until day 7 after wound induction. Wound closure was measured and the features of the repaired tissue were investigated, including mast cell quantification, neutrophil and macrophage activities, collagen deposition, angiogenesis, and pro-metalloproteases and metalloproteases 2 and 9 activity (pro-MMPs and MMPs). Results and conclusion The M. ilicifolia extract accelerated the closure of wounds. The extract at a concentration of 4% was found to be effective, presenting anti-inflammatory effects and hemoglobin increased, along with increased soluble, total and type III collagens in the wound. In addition, there was an increase in pro-MMP9 and MMP9 activity after day 7th of treatment. The phenolic compounds and tannins present in this plant could be associated with the anti-inflammatory and healing activities observed in this study. Therefore, the ability to modulate essential parameters for accelerated and adequate healing as shown here suggests that the use of standardised extracts of M. ilicifolia and its fractions enriched in polyphenols may represent a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of wounds.

Medicinal Plants from Latin America with Wound Healing Activity: Ethnomedicine, Phytochemistry, Preclinical and Clinical Studies—A Review

“…These observations suggest the influence of C. langsdorffii creams stimulating the wound re-epithelialization mechanism [144]. Similarly, de Moura et al [137] demonstrated that topical treatment with the hydroalcoholic extract of Maytenus ilicifolia Mart. ex Reissek leaves contributes to the advancement of the proliferative stage, probably by increasing the activity of MMP-9.…”

Traditional Plants Used in Southern Brazil as a Source to Wound Healing Therapies

“…[52] It is denoted that the leaf from M. ilicifolia is used in the Southern region of Brazil and accelerates the wound healing process. Indeed, recently De Moura and collaborators [53] described that the M. ilicifolia extract accelerated the closure of wounds at a concentration of 4 %, presenting anti-inflammatory effects and hemoglobin increased, along with increased soluble, total, and type III collagens in the wound. In addition, the authors also described that the extract application increased the pro-metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and MMP9 activity after day 7th of treatment.…”

Wound healing and analgesic effects of Brocchia cinerea essential oil in experimental animals

“…After surgery, the mice were housed individually to avoid any interference with the wound-healing process. 15 A total of 24 mice were randomly assigned into four groups with six to eight mice per group. Group I served as the control and received no treatment, while Group II received a commercial ointment of Fucidin cream.…”