Extracts of Eucalyptus alba Promote Diabetic Wound Healing by Inhibiting α-Glucosidase and Stimulating Cell Proliferation

Abstract

Treatment of diabetic wounds has always been a challenge for primary and acute health care. <i>Eucalyptus alba</i> has been reported to be used for the treatment of wounds and oxidative stress. Effects of using different temperatures and solvents for the extraction of <i>Eucalyptus alba</i> leaves were investigated in terms of diabetic wound healing activity. Leaves of <i>E. alba</i> were dried at 10°C, 30°C, 50°C, and 100°C, and dissolved in ethanol, methanol, and acetone to obtain a total of 12 extracts. All the extracts have remarkable antidiabetic, antioxidant, and cell proliferation activities. Among the tested extracts, highest activities were observed with leaves dried at 10°C and 30°C, whereas drying at 100°C resulted in the lowest activities. Ethanol-based extracts exhibited significantly increased cell proliferation compared with methanol- and acetone-based extract. The present study suggests that leaves of <i>E. alba</i> should be dried at temperature not more than 30°C and extracted in ethanol for optimum results. However, further studies should focus on the identification of specific bioactive compounds in <i>E. alba</i> leaves.