Evaluation of tissue repair using phytotherapeutic gel from Plectranthus neochilus, Schlechter (boldo-gambá) and Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl (favela) in Wistar rats

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a gel formulation from the association of Plectranthus neochilus and Cnidoscolus quercifolius on tissue repair in cutaneous wounds in rats. A surgical wound was induced in 35 Wistar rats and treated according to group: G1 - commercial phytotherapeutic gel; G2 - Carbopol gel 1%; G3, 4, 5 - gel formulation from Boldo-gambá and Favela (FGBF) at 2.5%, 5%, and 10%, respectively. 1ml of the product was applied topically daily, for 14 days. Macroscopic evaluation of the wound showed inflammation, granulation, and epithelization in all groups. The FGBF 2.5% group showed greater angiogenic potential. There was a significant difference between the surgical area of the wounds treated with FGBF 2.5%, 5%, or 10% compared to the group with the commercial phytotherapeutic gel. On histomorphometry of the skin, there were reepithelization of the epidermis and superficial dermis, longitudinal collagen fibers, fibroblasts, and blood vessels, and in the deeper dermis, fibroblasts, transverse and longitudinal collagen fibers, blood vessels, and inflammatory cells. The 2.5% formulation had the greatest increase in fibroblast proliferation and most intense collagenization on day 14 of treatment.

Plectranthus Species with Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Potential: A Systematic Review on Ethnobotanical and Pharmacological Findings

“…Concerning other species listed in this review, the ethanolic and cyclohexane extracts of P. forsteri were found to reduce the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α, demonstrating promising in vitro anti-inflammatory activity in LPD-stimulated THP-1 cells [64]; The hydroalcoholic extract of P. neochilus showed healing effects associated with skin reepithelialization marked by the presence of fibroblasts, collagen fibers, and blood vessels in scars of Wistar rats [68]; Different extracts of P. scutellarioides [69] inhibited NO production, indicating inhibition of macrophage activation; P. zeylanicus extracts inhibited 5-LOX expression in stimulated human neutrophils but failed to show free radical scavenging activity and inhibit ROS production [70]. The dichloromethane extract (DCM) of this species showed significant antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 62.5 g/mL [36,70].…”

“…In contrast, the other studies were given a low risk. Regarding blind group allocations during the experiments, only the study in [56] reported accurate information, presenting a low risk, while the studies in [53,55,57,58,60,68] obtained an unclear risk (Table 4).…”

“…Nine studies were clear about animal allocation during the experimental period: those in [52,[54][55][56][57][58]60,63,68]. Only the study in [53] presented a high risk for this item.…”

“…Ten species were investigated: Plectranthus aliciae [51], Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng [40,[52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61], Plectranthus barbatus (Andrews) Benth [62], Plectranthus caninus Roth [63], Plectranthus forsteri [64], Plectranthus hadiensis (Hribera) [65][66][67], Plectranthus neochilus [68], Plectranthus scutellarioides (L.) R. Br. [69], and Plectranthus zeylanicus Benth.…”

Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of the Cnidoscolus quercifolis: A Review

“…Its use is also indicated for toothache [44], ear pain, back pain, dysentery, appendicitis, flu, and cough [45]. The bark poultice is commonly used for healing [46] and the latex produced throughout the entire length of the plant is widely used against dermatoses and warts [45] and for cauterization and wound coagulation [45,47].…”