Wound healing activity of Salvia huberi ethanolic extract in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the in vivo wound healing potential of Salvia huberi Hedge (endemic to Turkey) on excision and incision wound models in diabetic rats. Method: Male Wistar albino rats, 3-4 months old and weighing 180-240g were used. The animals were randomly divided into five groups including Control, Vehicle and Fito reference, and two different concentrations (0.5% and 1% weight/weight (w/w)) of ethanol extract of Salvia huberi were investigated in both wound models on streptozocin-induced diabetic rats using macroscopic, biomechanical, biochemical, histopathological, genotoxic and gene expression methods over both seven and 14 days. Fito cream (Tripharma Drug Industry and Trade Inc., Turkey) was used as the reference drug. Results: A total of 60 rats were used in this study. Salvia huberi ointments at 0.5% and 1% (w/w) concentrations and Fito cream showed 99.3%, 99.4% and 99.1% contraction for excision wounds, and 99.9%, 97.0% and 99% contraction for incision wounds, respectively. In Salvia huberi ointments and Fito cream groups, re-epithelialisation increased dramatically by both day 7 and day 14 (p<0.05). By day 14, low hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and high glutathione (GSH) levels were observed in the Salvia huberi ointment groups. After two application periods, damaged cell percent and genetic damage index values and micronucleus frequency of Salvia huberi ointment treatment groups were lower than Control and Vehicle groups (p<0.001). A growth factor expression reached a high level by day 7 in the Control group; in Salvia huberi-treated groups it was decreased. Conclusion: The study showed that application of Salvia huberi ointments ameliorated the healing process in diabetic rats with excisional and incisional wounds and may serve as a potent healing agent.