Topical application of <i>Salvia officinalis </i> hydroethanolic leaf extract improves wound healing process

Abstract

<i>Salvia officinalis</i> L. (common sage) is a popular herb in the mint family, Lamiaceae. To our knowledge, literature regarding the wound healing properties hydroethanolic extract of <i>Salvia officinalis </i> is scarce. Here, we tried to evaluate the <i>in vitro</i> antioxidant properties and <i>in vivo</i> wound healing activity of the hydroethanolic extract of <i>S</i>.<i> officinalis</i>. About 105 healthy Wistar rats were inflicted with wound by excision and incisionand were randomly divided into five experimental groups: Group I, as control; Group II, received placebo; groups III-V treated with 1, 3 and 5% <i>S. officinalis</i> hydroethanolic leaf extract, respectively. Thehydroethanolic leaf extract of <i>Salvia officinalis</i> showed the highest total flavonoid and phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. Topical application of <i>S. officinalis</i> extract<i>, </i> especially higher dose,significantly (<i>P</i> <0.05) increased the percentage of wound contraction, a period of re-epithelialization, breaking strength ratio and upregulated hydroxyproline content versus control group. Additionally, <i>S. officinalis</i> significantly (<i>P</i> <0.05) increased the new vessel formation and Fibroblast distribution. Our results showed that <i>S. officinalis</i>,especially <i>S. officinalis</i> 5%,were significantly promoting wound healing effect and can be considered as an appropriate compound for clinical application in wound care.