In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the wound healing potential of the extracts of Schinus molle L. (anacardiaceae) grown in Jordan

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the wound healing potential of Schinus molle L. aqueous and ethanol extracts. First, the antimicrobial activity of Schinus molle extracts was tested against six microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis and Citrobacter freundii). The growth of Citrobacter freundii and Enterococcus faecalis was totally inhibited by the aqueous extract at the lowest tested concentration (1.56 mg/mL). Next, in vitro wound healing assays were performed using human fibroblast cells' proliferation and scratch tests. Based on the obtained promising results, the aqueous extracts were further tested in an in vivo excision wound model in rats. Animals were treated with a hydrogel formula enriched with the plant aqueous extract in two different concentrations (2 % and 5 %). Re-epithelialization, fibrosis and neovascularization of the epidermis and sub-epidermal cells in the regenerated tissue was observed, accompanied by an increase in the tensile strength of the skin of the rats treated with the plant aqueous extract when compared to the negative control group. Our results strongly support the use of Schinus molle aqueous extracts in topical formulations to promote wound healing.