In Silico, in Vitro, and in Vivo Wound Healing Activity of Astragalus microcephalus Willd.

Abstract

Background and Objectives. A wound is one of the high-prevalence disorders that affect people's lives physically, mentally, and financially. This study examined the Astragalus microcephalus Willd. wound healing process in in vivo and in vitro conditions by focusing on the phytoestrogen activity of this extract. Methods. The methanolic root extract was prepared by maceration, and flavonoids were evaluated by LC/MS. In silico examination was performed based on the LC/MS results, and the binding affinity of these compounds to estrogen receptors (ERs) α and β was evaluated. Wound healing evaluation in both in vitro (NHDF cell line, by 500 μg/ml concentration of the extract, 24 h) and in vivo (Wistar rat, topical daily treated with 1.5% of the extract ointment, 21 days) conditions in comparison to control groups was conducted. Rats' control groups included silver sulfadiazine, Vaseline, and the nontreated groups. Results. Eleven flavonoids were detected using LC/MS. The in silico study showed that formononetin, kaempferol-based structures, quercetin-3-O-neohesperidoside, and calycosin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside had a high affinity (