Investıgatıon of the In vitro and In vivo effect of a mixture of Ficus carica L. and Hippophae rhamnoides L. on experımentally induced burns in rats.

Abstract

In vitro analyses of Ficus carica L. and Hippophae rhamnoides L. (FCHR) extract were conducted on human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cell lines to evaluate cell viability (WST-8 assay) and wound closure rate (scratch assay) across different concentrations. In vivo studies were performed using experimental animals divided into six groups: Healthy control, Burn control, Silver sulfadiazine, Vehicle cream, 1.5 % FCHR, and 4.5 % FCHR formulations. On days 3, 7, 14, and 21, skin samples were collected for the assessment of Tnf-α, Tgf-β1, Il-6, Vegf-a and Mmp-2 gene expression using qRT-PCR, alongside histopathological evaluations. In vitro studies assessed the effects of various FCHR concentrations on HDF cell viability and wound closure. In vivo, animals were assigned to six treatment groups as described above. Skin samples were collected at predetermined time points (days 3, 7, 14, and 21) for qRT-PCR analysis of wound healing, inflammatory markers (Mmp-2, Il-6, Tnf-α), angiogenesis-related genes (Tgf-β1 and Vegf-α) and for histopathological examination of tissue regeneration. In vitro assays showed the highest cell proliferation at 15.625 μg/ml and 125 μg/ml FCHR concentrations, with the 15.625 μg/ml group exhibiting the greatest wound closure rate. In vivo, FCHR-treated groups demonstrated faster wound healing compared to the burn control. Expression of inflammatory genes (Mmp-2, Il-6, Tnf-α) was reduced in treatment groups, while expression of wound healing and angiogenesis-related genes (Tgf-β1, Vegf-α) increased by day 21. Histopathological analyses revealed enhanced tissue regeneration and structural recovery in FCHR-treated groups. The FCHR cream formulation effectively promotes wound healing in both in vitro and in vivo models through its anti-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic effects. These findings highlight the potential of FCHR in enhancing tissue regeneration and provide a foundation for further detailed histopathological, biochemical, and molecular investigations of the wound healing process.