Skin healing effects of an innovative polymer-based oil Nigella sativa: a rabbit model experimental study

G. Ben Salah, S. Jebahi, S. Bessaleh, M.A. Ahmad, H. Khireddine, M. Abdulghani, N. Mejri

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Buraidah, Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia. G.SALAH@qu.edu.sa

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• Cell biology
• Pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: Natural wound dressings composed of gelatin (GEL) and chitosan (CH) impregnated with bioactive compounds (Nigella sativa oil) were prepared and characterized to evaluate their potential application.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The formulated composite was subjected to γ-irradiation. In vitro, the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and antibiofilm activities were evaluated. In vivo, the tissue wound-healing process was studied by applying GEL-CH-Nigella in dorsal skin rabbit tissue. On days 7 and 14, the biochemical biomarker and histological analysis were determined.

RESULTS: At 10 kGy, FRAP assays exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (380 mmol/kg). A significant inhibition of anti-biofilm activity was observed against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) (p<0.01). Fourteen days post-surgery, a significant reduction in thiobarbituric acid-reactive compounds (TBARs) was observed compared to the GEL-CH group. Concerning oxidative stress status, GEL-CH-Nigella significantly improved superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities. A histological analysis revealed that GEL-CH-Nigella accelerated wound closure and improved collagenisation and enhanced epidermal tissue thickness.

CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that GEL-CH-Nigella wound dressing is a promising biomaterial for engineered tissue.

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