Isolation, phytochemical elucidation, and wound healing potential of chitosan-based film loaded with Tagetes erecta

Abstract

The research aims to study the wound healing potential of Tagetes erecta flower extract. The flowers were subjected to solvent extraction and the extracts were further subjected to initial phytochemical analysis which led to the selection of ethyl acetate (EA) extract. GCMS analysis of EA extract showed the presence of siloxane derivatives, sugars, and acidic compounds such as phenolic and ascorbic acid derivatives some of which are responsible for wound healing activity. The presence of BHT having highest peak made it clear that the extract can contribute to wound healing process by antioxidant activity. MTT assay of EA extract using mouse L929 cell lines revealed that all experimental concentrations were found to be non-toxic in nature. Further, three film formulations (M1, M2, M3) were developed by varying the amount of EA extract loaded in chitosan and evaluated based on parameters like hydrolytic degradation, water vapour transmission rate, folding endurance, percentage moisture content and swelling index. Based on these results, film M2 was found to be better, and its wound healing activity was determined by scratch assay. Results exhibited 61.82% of cell migration in comparison to positive control 40.83% (5% povidone iodine). The presence of antibacterial bioactive components in the EA extract was further confirmed by the anti-bacterial study against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Thus, developed chitosan films loaded with marigold flower extract can be a promising material which can be further evaluated for exhibiting wound healing activity.