Development and Evaluation of the Wound Healing Effect of a Novel Topical Cream Formula Based on Ginkgo biloba Extract on Wounds in Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Despite advances in diabetes care, impaired diabetic wound healing remains a significant clinical problem. The present study was aimed at developing a novel cream based on Ginkgo biloba extract and investigating its wound healing effect on full-thickness wounds in diabetic rats. The topical formulated oil-in-water emulsion-based cream contains Ginkgo biloba aqueous extract in an amount of about 1% to 5% as an active agent. The prepared formula was subjected to physicochemical assessment and pharmacotechnical characterization. Eighteen alloxan-induced diabetic rats completing full-thickness excisional skin wounds were randomly divided into three groups topically treated with either a normal saline (control group), the reference drug (“Cytol Centella cream®”), and cream based on the Ginkgo biloba extract. The response to treatment was assessed by macroscopic, qualitative, and quantitative histopathological analysis. The prepared formula showed good physicochemical properties. The rheological behavior of the prepared cream followed a non-Newtonian pseudoplastic pattern at different storage temperatures. The cream, which is a macroemulsion with uniform size distribution, remained stable for 6 months. Skin tolerance studies confirmed the compatibility of the cream with the skin. During the experimental trial, the cream based on the Ginkgo biloba-treated group showed significant improvements over the control and reference groups for both general wound appearance and healing dynamics. This increased rate of closure of wounds in diabetic rats was associated with increased collagen synthesis. Our findings showed that the cream could be a promising and innovative topical treatment with Ginkgo biloba extract for the management of acute diabetic wounds.

Development and Evaluation of Ginkgo biloba/Sodium Alginate Nanocomplex Gel as a Long-Acting Formulation for Wound Healing

“…In the present study, topical application of GKNG showed better antioxidant property than the GK gel and SA gel and showed improved wound healing potential. The findings were consistent with the previously published reports [ 9 , 26 ].…”

“…The characteristic peak of 1647 cm −1 indicated C=C and C=N stretching, and the peak of 1694 cm −1 demonstrated the stretching vibration of C=O. At the same time, the C–OH (alcohols and carboxylic acids) stretching peak appears at 1068 cm −1 [ 9 ]. The FTIR spectra of alginate, i.e., A ( Figure 1 ), showed characteristics of uronic acid at 987 cm −1 ; a wavenumber of 2965 cm −1 demonstrated CH 2 stretching of alginate, and simultaneously, wavenumbers from 3200 to 3600 cm −1 indicated OH stretching [ 16 ].…”

“…These characterizations were conducted to understand the wound healing assay results and analysis of the key for the optimum GKNG, raw GK extract, and alginate groups. Moreover, Bardaa et al (2021) developed a topical cream of GK extract, and the cream was based on a micro-sized emulsion [ 9 ].…”

“…The Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (GK) is one of the well-established traditional Chinese medicine and consists of various bioactive constituents such as bioflavonoids, ginkgolides, and bilobalide [ 7 ]. These bioactive constituents in GK possess potent antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties and could be potential drug candidates in managing and treating wounds [ 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

“…Therefore, looking into the pharmacological benefit of GK and previously reported studies, topical delivery of GK extract was planned. However, the conventional topical drug delivery has several limitations: reduced permeation, low bioavailability, reduced spreadability, and minimal therapeutic outcome [ 1 , 9 ]. Hence, herein, sodium alginate nanocomplex gel of GK was developed.…”