Portulaca grandiflora phytochemicals as a potential source for wound healing activity: in vitro and in vivo studies

Abstract

The management of chronic wounds presents considerable challenges and has a substantial influence on the quality of life among afflicted persons and their families. The discovery of naturally produced bioactive chemicals having good effects on the regeneration of tissue has been driven by the need for safe, effective, and cost-effective wound healing therapies. Portulaca grandiflora is an annual succulent that comes under the family of Portulacaceae. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the phytochemicals of n-hexane extracts and their effects on in vitro and in vivo wound healing models. In vitro study, Wound Scratch Assay shows that n-hexane extract of 100 ug/ml concentration significantly promotes wound healing through increased cell migration and wound closure compared to MEBO ointment-treated groups and negative control groups. The in vivo study shows that the formula of the extract ointment promotes wound healing without any complication and the percentage of wound surface area reduction was (5.39 ± 0.391) better than MEBO-treated groups (10.06 ± 0.536), and negative control groups (14.04 ± 0.304) through its ability to stimulate epidermal closure, re-epithelization, and granulation that appears in histological examination. As a result, Iraqi Portulaca grandiflora can be considered a potential resource of chemical substances, especially terpenoids, and steroids, which are helpful in healing wounds.