Influence of Alternanthera brasiliana (L.) Kuntze on Altered Antioxidant Enzyme Profile during Cutaneous Wound Healing in Immunocompromised Rats

Abstract

Alternanthera brasiliana (L.) Kuntze (Amaranthaceae) is a herbaceous plant used against inflammation, cough, and diarrhea in Brazilian popular medicine. In our preliminary study, promising wound healing activity of methanol extract of leaves of A. brasiliana (MEAB) was observed in normal excision and incision wound models. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the wound healing activity along with the antioxidant enzyme profile during cutaneous excision immunocompromised wound after topical application of 5% w/w ointment of MEAB in rats. Immunocompromised state was induced by pretreatment with hydrocortisone (HC) at 40 mg/kg body weight (i.m.) in male rats. Following one-week pretreatment with HC, wounds were created. The vehicle, 5% (w/w) ointment of MEAB, or standard drug (Himax) was applied topically twice daily. Healing potential was evaluated by the rate of wound contraction, estimation of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants like catalase, SOD, GSH, protein, vitamin C, and hydroxyproline content, which was supported by histopathological study on the 8th day following wounding. There was significant increase in the enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant parameters in the extract-reated group as compared to control group. Histopathological study revealed collagen deposition, fibroblast proliferation, angiogenesis, and development of basement membrane in A. brasiliana group. The results of the present investigation revealed significant wound healing activity of MEAB.

Figure 1

Effect of MEAB on reduced glutathione (GSH) content of granulation tissues in immunocompromised rats (n = 6, each bar represents mean ± SE, P < 0.05 versus vehicle, one-way ANOVA).

Figure 2

Effect of methanol extract of Alternanthera brasiliana on super oxide dismutase (SOD) activity of granulation tissues in immunocompromised rats (n = 6, each bar represents mean ± SE, P < 0.05 versus vehicle, one-way ANOVA).

Figure 3

Effect of methanol extract of Alternanthera brasiliana on catalase (CAT) activity of granulation tissues in immunocompromised rats (n = 6, each bar represents mean ± SE, P < 0.05 versus vehicle, one-way ANOVA).

Figure 4

Effect of methanol extract of Alternanthera brasiliana on protein content of granulation tissues in immunocompromised rats (n = 6, each bar represents mean ± SE, P < 0.05 versus vehicle, one-way ANOVA).

Figure 5

Effect of methanol extract of Alternanthera brasiliana on hydroxyproline content of granulation tissues in immunocompromised rats (n = 6, each bar represents mean ± SE, P < 0.05 versus vehicle, one-way ANOVA).

Figure 6

Effect of methanol extract of Alternanthera brasiliana on ascorbic acid content of granulation tissues in immunocompromised rats (n = 6, each bar represents mean ± SE, P < 0.05 versus vehicle, one-way ANOVA).

Figure 7

Photomicrograph showing histopathological changes of the granulation tissues on the 8th day following wounding in immunocompromised wound in rats. (a) Necrosis and polymorphonuclear cell infiltration (H&E × 400) in control group. (b) Abundance of collagen fibers (Van Gieson's × 100) in A. brasiliana-treated group. (c) Fibroblast proliferation and angiogenesis (H&E × 100) in A. brasiliana-treated group.(d) Development of basement membrane below the necrotic debris (H&E × 100) in A. brasiliana-treated group. (e) Angiogenesis and collagen fibers (H&E × 100) in Himax-treated standard group.