Efficacy of Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr. extract in enhancing diabetic wound healing through modulation of IL-1β, PDGFβ, and TGF-β in a rat model

Abstract

Context: Diabetic wound is characterized by prolonged inflammation and impaired tissue regeneration. Aims: To investigate the efficacy of Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr. in modulating inflammatory and regenerative cytokines, including IL-1β, PDGFβ, and TGF-β in diabetic wound healing. Methods: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling identified key phytoconstituents of the extract. This was followed by antioxidant assays of 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), diphenyl picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). A total of 36 male Wistar rats were induced with alloxan (160 mg/kg BW) to simulate diabetic wound and assigned to six groups, receiving topical treatments of moist exposed burn ointment (MEBO) or G. procumbens at a dose of 100, 200, or 300 mg/kg BW for 14 days. Histological analysis and immunohistochemistry were conducted to assess epithelial thickness, fibroblast count, and cytokine expression. Results: The extract had a potent antioxidant capacity of IC₅₀ < 100 µg/mL in both ABTS and DPPH assays, while GC-MS showed n-hexadecanoic acid (26.36%) as the dominant compound. Histology showed increased epithelial thickness and fibroblast density, specifically at a 300 mg/kg BW dose of the extract. At 200 mg/kg BW, epithelial thickness increased by 96%, IL-1β expression decreased by 45% (p<0.01), while PDGFβ and TGF-β expression levels respectively increased by 60% and 70%. Immunohistochemistry found significant downregulation of IL-1β as well as upregulation of PDGFβ and TGF-β expression (p < 0.001) in treated groups, comparable to MEBO. Conclusions: G. procumbens extract enhanced diabetic wound healing by modulating oxidative stress and cytokine balance. The extract efficacy, supported by molecular and histological evidence, showed potential as a natural therapeutic agent for chronic wounds.

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