Amelioration of full thickness dermal wounds by topical application of biofabricated zinc oxide and iron oxide nano-ointment in albino Wistar rats

Abstract

Process of wound healing is a complex biological process involving different overlapping phases to attain re-epithelialization. Advancement of nanotechnology in medical sciences has endowed zinc oxide and iron oxide nanoparticles as novel therapeutic approaches, which potentially promote the process of wound healing. Current study was designed to explore the effect of biofabricated zinc oxide and iron oxide nanoparticles of Prosopis cineraria (PC) leaves extract (ZnPC and FePC, respectively) on dermal full thickness wounds. In vitro antioxidant activity was performed by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method and anti-inflammatory activity was confirmed by albumin denaturation and proteinase inhibition method. ZnPC and FePC were synthesized by co-precipitation method via green route and characterized by various techniques. Various parameters of wound such as wound closure rate, epithelialization period, hydroxyproline content, tensile strength and level of antioxidant enzyme as well as inflammatory markers were evaluated. Different analyses exhibited the spherical particles of 117.5 (ZnPC) and 48 (FePC) nm size. Significant effect (p < 0.05) of nano-ointment topical formulations on wound contraction rate and epithelialization period was observed. Hydroxyproline content, inflammatory markers and enzymatic antioxidant profile also supported the wound healing effect. ZnPC ointment applied group showed quick healing of tissue injury as compared to FePC ointment applied group. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, due to the synergistic effect of metal oxides and polyphenolic compounds of PC leaves, could be the possible underlying mechanism of swift wound healing property of ZnPC and FePC. Therefore, ZnPC and FePC based nano-ointment approach could be a beneficial way for clinical treatment of wounds.