Hydroethanolic Extract of<i> Strychnos pseudoquina</i> Accelerates Skin Wound Healing by Modulating the Oxidative Status and Microstructural Reorganization of Scar Tissue in Experimental Type I Diabetes

Abstract

The effect of topical application of ointment based on <i>Strychnos pseudoquina</i> hydroethanolic extract in the cutaneous wounds healing in diabetic rats was evaluated. Samples of <i>S. pseudoquina</i> were submitted to phytochemical prospection and <i>in vitro</i> antioxidant assay. Thirty Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: Sal-wounds treated with 0.9% saline solution; VH-wounds treated with 0.6 g of lanolin cream (vehicle); SS-wounds treated with silver sulfadiazine cream (10 mg/g); ES5- and ES10-wounds treated with an ointment of <i>S. pseudoquina</i> extract, 5% and 10%, respectively. Fragments of wounds were removed for histological and biochemical analysis every 7 days during 21 days. ES showed equivalent levels per gram of extract of total phenols and flavonoids equal to 122.04 mg for TAE and 0.60 mg for RE. The chlorogenic acid was one of the major constituents. <i>S. pseudoquina</i> extract presented high antioxidant potential <i>in vitro</i>. ES5 and ES10 showed higher wound healing rate and higher amount of cells, blood vessels, and type III and I collagen. The oxidative stress markers were lower in the ES5 and ES10 groups, while the antioxidants enzymes levels were higher. Ointment based on <i>S. pseudoquina</i> extract promotes a fast and efficient cutaneous repair in diabetic rats.