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

Abstract

The <i>M. ilicifolia</i> 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 <i>M. ilicifolia</i> and its fractions enriched in polyphenols may represent a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of wounds.