A<i> Plantago</i><i> lanceolata</i> L. extract-based cream enhances wound healing by modulating inflammatory mediators and growth factors in a full-thickness wound model:<i> In</i><i> vivo</i> and<i> In</i><i> silico</i> evidence

Sezen S., SEVİNÇ ÖZAKAR R., BAYRAM C., Burul F., ÖZKARACA M., KARADAYI M., ...Daha Fazla

JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, cilt.115, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

Özet

This study presents the wound healing supporting processes of cream formulations developed using Plantago lanceolata L. (PL) methanol extract in rats with full-thickness excisional skin wounds. Following the creation of full-thickness excisional skin wounds in rats, these formulations (25 mg/g, 50 mg/g, and 100 mg/g) and Fito cream (control drug) were applied topically to the wound areas for 14 days. Biochemical (TNF-alpha, IL-8, MMP-2), histopathological, and immunohistochemical (FGFR2/Bek, IGF-I, TGF-beta 1, VEGFR2, ERK 1/2, and iNOS) analyses were performed on wound tissues following sacrifice. Major components of the PL methanol extract were determined by LC-HRMS analysis. Interactions between major components and inflammation-associated human receptors were evaluated using molecular docking (Schrodinger Maestro version 13.9.138.) methods. Significantly greater closure of wound areas was observed on day 14 in the rats treated with the developed new cream formulations and Fito cream compared to the positive control group. Inflammation was significantly lower, and epithelialization was higher in the group treated topically with 100 mg/g PL methanol extract-containing cream formulation than in the other groups. Additionally, the major components of the PL methanol extract exhibited strong binding affinity with inflammation-related human receptors. The study findings show that the developed cream formulation supports wound healing by regulating antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways. The PL cream formulation (100 mg/g) was more effective in wound healing than Fito cream and possesses significant potential for clinical use.