Formulation and Evaluation of Helichrysum italicum Essential Oil-Based Topical Formulations for Wound Healing in Diabetic Rats

Abstract

As proper wound management is crucial to reducing morbidity and improving quality of life, this study evaluated for the first time the wound healing potential of H. italicum essential oil (HIEO) prepared in the form of ointment and gel in streptozotocin-induced diabetic wound models in rats. After creating full-thickness cutaneous wounds, forty-eight diabetic rats were divided into six groups: (1) negative control; (2) positive control; (3) ointment base; (4) gel base; (5) 0.5% HIEO ointment (6) 0.5% HIEO gel. Wound healing potential was determined by the percentage of wound contraction, hydroxyproline content, redox status, and histological observation. A significant decrease in the wound size was observed in animals treated with HIEO formulations compared with other groups. The HIEO groups also showed a higher level of total hydroxyproline content, and more pronounced restitution of adnexal structures with only the underlying muscle defect indicating the incision site. Hence, our results legitimate the traditional data of the pro-healing effect of HIEO because HIEO in both formulations such as gel and ointment exhibited the significant wound repairing effect in the incision wound model.

Bio-Evaluation of the Wound Healing Activity of Artemisia judaica L. as Part of the Plant’s Use in Traditional Medicine; Phytochemical, Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antibiofilm Properties of the Plant’s Essential Oils

“…The current findings for the in vivo and in vitro antioxidant activity and the anti-inflammatory effect of ArJ could be attributed to the presence of higher percentages of oxygenated monoterpenes (57.2%) in the plant essential oils [ 109 ]. Oxygenated monoterpenes have been found as major constituents in the plants used traditionally to accelerate wound healing, e.g., the plant essential oil of Helichrysum italicum [ 110 , 111 ] has exhibited a primary role in potential antimicrobial activity and anti-inflammatory effects [ 111 ]. Furthermore, some of the major ArJ essential oils reported as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents, e.g., thujone (both α and β-thujone, 9.55%), 1,8-cineole (2.56%), camphor (1.92%), and borneol (0.47%), have chiefly contributed to the rosemary anti-inflammatory effect [ 112 ].…”

The Evaluation of Healing Properties of Galium verum-Based Oral Gel in Aphthous Stomatitis in Rats

“…A simple gel base was prepared using Carbomer 934, propylene glycol, triethanolamine solution, and water as previously described by our research group [ 17 ]. Sodium benzoate as a preservative was dissolved in 40 °C purified water.…”

“…Triethanolamine solution (7 g of 10% solution) was added to obtain the gel base with a pH of ~6. The tested formulation, i.e., the gel based on G. verum extract, was prepared using 20% w / w of extract, which was incorporated into the carbomer gel to achieve a uniform gel [ 17 , 18 ].…”

“…For measurement of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), we used a protocol based on the oxidation of phenol red by hydrogen peroxide in the presence of horseradish peroxidase. The level of H 2 O 2 was measured at 610 nm [ 17 ].…”

Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don. from Central Europe

“…So far, the mixture of H. italicum essential oil and macerated oil of musk rose was tested on the skin after reconstructive surgery [7,22,56]. According to Andjić et al [57], H. italicum essential oil in formulations such as gel and ointment exhibited a significant wound repairing effect in the incision wound model.…”