A mechanistic insight into cytokines and growth factors in saudi pomegranate peel extract (Punica granatum L.) mediated diabetic wound healing in alloxan induced diabetic rats

Introduction: Present study was designed to understand the role of inflammatory markers and growth factors in later stage of wound healing after treatment with SPPE on wound in alloxan induced diabetic rats.Methodology: The study was performed by inducing diabetes in wistar rats using alloxan at 150 mg/kg, subcutaneously. The animals were allocated in three groups: Group 1- diabetic excision wound (DEW) without any treatment, Group 2- DEW treated with gel vehicle only, Group 3- DEW treated with 5 %SPPE containing gel. During the treatment period of twenty-one days animals were monitored based on clinical signs, morbidity, and mortality. Percent wound contraction, Growth factors (VEGF, and EGF), proinflammatory markers TNF- alpha, IL-1 beta, MCP-1, IL-4, and IL-17a, anti-inflammatory marker IL-10 in wound lysates, and histology of skin were all considered as indicators of effectiveness.Results: The vehicle control when compared with the SPPE in gel (5.0 g extract per 100 g of gel) presented significant [p < 0.001] wound healing activity at day 14 and 21 of treatment. Throughout the treatment period the animals were normal and showed no comparable difference in terms of body weight both in group 1 and treatment groups. Both growth factors VEGF & EGF levels were significantly increased in SPPE gel treated wounds on day 14 and 21 compared to Group 2. Other inflammatory markers like TNF- alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-17a were also significantly decreased in SPPE treated wounds as compared to other groups.Conclusions: This study concludes that topical application of SPPE gel to alloxan-induced diabetic wounds decreases pro-inflammation markers and increases growth factors, hence promoting wound healing.