Antimicrobial activity and wound healing effect of a novel natural ointment: an in vitro and in vivo study
Abstract
Infection and pathological disorders, such as cellular disorders, ischaemia, neuropathy and angiogenesis, are considered the most critical factors which cause a delay in the wound healing process in patients with diabetes. This study aimed to investigate the effect of an ointment based on ostrich oil containing honey, beeswax, and ethanolic extracts of Nigella sativa, propolis and Cassia angustifolia on the wound healing process of diabetic rats. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis showed caffeic acid and pinostrobin chalcone molecules present in propolis, giving antibacterial and antifungal properties to the compound. The antibacterial assessment showed the ointment had remarkable antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (8.6±0.28mm), Escherichia coli (9.4±0.31mm), Acinetobacter baumannii (7.2±0.23mm) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13.9±0.42mm). In vivo results showed the ointment significantly accelerated wound healing and increased collagen deposition compared with the control (p<0.05). Histopathology evaluation also showed hair follicles, sebaceous glands and vessels in the group that used the ointment. These results proved successful and diabetic wound healing was rapid. Therefore, it could be concluded that the fabricated ointment could be a suitable candidate for wound healing.
Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases globally. It has many complications, one of the most critical of which is diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Factors such as neuropathy, infection, cellular disorders, ischaemia and angiogenesis are considered the most critical delaying factors in the healing of DFUs.1
Propolis or bee glue is a natural resin blend collected from plant secretions and buds, and combined with wax and bee enzymes. Its compounds vary according to the type of vegetation in the area, weather and season.2 It contains various chemical compounds, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, ester derivatives, and some other inorganic compounds with antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties.3 Research has shown that propolis accelerates wound healing through different mechanisms, such as increasing extracellular matrix secretion, collagen formation, reducing interleukin-6 and interleukin-1β in the wound site, and normalising tumour necrosis factor-α and metalloprotease levels. In addition, the topical administration of propolis has been shown to result in faster contraction of diabetic wounds.4
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