Abstract
Introduction: The leaves and barks of Guettarda calyptrata have been attributed to the property of healing wounds on the skin and mucous membranes. However, the scientific information about the phytochemical composition and biological properties is scarce. This research evaluates the chemical composition, dermal safety, and wound healing properties of a hydroalcoholic extract of G. calyptrata. Methods: Hydroalcoholic extract of G. calyptrata was obtained from leaves. The phytochemical profile was analyzed by phytochemical screening, thin layer chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and quantification of phenols and flavonoids by Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods, respectively. An acute dermal toxicity test was performed in rats, and the healing activity was evaluated using the excision wound model at 100 mg/kg of the extracts. Statistical significance (P < 0.05) was determined by an analysis of variance followed by the Student-Newman-Keuls test. Results: The presence of alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, rutin, and quercetin flavonoids, among others, was suggested. The extract did not cause toxicity at the dose of 2000 mg/kg and was able to reduce the size of the wounds during the seven days of the test, with a healing effect comparable to the silver sulfadiazine cream used as a positive control, favoring collagen deposition and re-epithelialization. Conclusion: This work makes an important contribution to the chemical composition and provides the first findings on the efficacy in the healing of topical wounds, which justify the use of G. calyptrata in traditional Cuban medicine.
Highlights
The leaves and barks of Guettarda calyptrata have been attributed to the property of healing wounds on the skin and mucous membranes
The lack of phytochemical and biological information to support the traditional use of this specie and their efficacy and security have motivated the present research which evaluates the chemical composition, dermal safety, and wound healing activity of a hydroalcoholic extract of G. calyptrata
The presence of rutin and quercetin was corroborated by Thin layer chromatography (TLC) with the apparition of two spots at Rf 0.70 and 0.92, similar to observed for the standards chromatographed (Figure 1)
Summary
Natural substances, plants, have been used to control and treat diseases and this has culminated in the discovery of the majority of modern pharmaceutical agents. It has been estimated that approximately over half of the pharmaceuticals in clinical use today are derived from natural products [1]. The traditional knowledge about medicinal plants is the first clinical evidence on efficacy of herbal medicine; scientific studies are necessary to corroborate. Gutiérrez Gaitén et al only the presence of phenols compounds and the antioxidant activity of the aqueous extract of the leaves have been reported [7]. The lack of phytochemical and biological information to support the traditional use of this specie and their efficacy and security have motivated the present research which evaluates the chemical composition, dermal safety, and wound healing activity of a hydroalcoholic extract of G. calyptrata
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