Skin tissue regeneration by Acanthus dioscoridis L. leaf extracts in vivo: Relevance to transforming growth factor β 1, antioxidants, and inflammatory factors.

Abstract

Wound healing is an intricate process that requires special care and therapeutics to enhance skin regeneration. Considering natural products as a safer choice, the present investigation elucidated the phytochemical, acute toxicity, and wound-healing effects of Acanthus dioscoridis L. (LEAD) leaf extracts on excisional neck injury in rats. A uniform dorsal neck cut was formed in twenty-four albino rats, which were arbitrarily divided into 4 groups and treated daily (0.2 ml) with either normal saline (group A); intrasite gel (group B); LEAD 250 and 500 mg/kg of LEAD (groups C and E, respectively). Phytochemical profiling of LEAD showed elevated total phenolic (111.4 and 105.4 mg/g GAE) and flavonoid (78.6 and 63.5 mg/g rutin) contents in ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts, respectively. LEAD treatment did not cause toxic incidence in rats administered with up to 5 g/kg. The results of the wound trial unveiled increased therapeutic efficacy of LEAD, denoted by accelerated skin tissue regeneration and higher closure proportion compared to vehicle rats. Microscopical screening showed increased tissue hydroxyproline/collagen formation, fibroblast deposition, and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration. Topical application of LEAD caused positive modulation of transforming growth factor β 1 (angiogenesis) in recovered skin, maintained skin homeostasis, and up-regulated tissue granulation/re-epithelialization. Moreover, LEAD treatment caused a significant down-regulation of ROS formation/oxidative stress in skin tissues (increased endogenous SOD, CAT), as well as lowered lipid peroxidation (MDA) generation. Serum inflammatory chemicals (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10) were significantly modulated following LEAD application. This study confirmed the wound healing potential of LEAD, which was mainly linked with its phenolics and flavonoids contents.