Comparative efficacy of andrographolide and hordenine in the treatment of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infected wounds: a multifaceted approach.

BACKGROUND

Wound healing is a multifaceted biological process hindered by infections, especially the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which resists antibiotics. Natural compounds such as andrographolide and hordenine are being explored as alternative therapeutics.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of andrographolide and hordenine in promoting wound healing in MRSA-infected infectious wounds using in vitro and in vivo methods.

METHODS

L929 fibroblast-based MTT and scratch assays assessed cytotoxicity and wound closure potential. CAM assay evaluated angiogenic activity. Wistar rats with MRSA-infected excision wounds were treated topically, followed by biochemical analysis (hydroxyproline and hexosamine levels) and histopathological evaluation.

RESULTS

The study revealed that andrographolide showed significantly (P < 0.001) higher cellular viability than hordenine and significantly reduced the cellular gap in L929 cells by day 3. Andrographolide increased blood vessels significantly (P < 0.001) more than hordenine. Clinical observations indicated reduced pus in andrographolide and hordenine-treated groups than in the control group, with the ceftriaxone-sulbactam group showing the lowest pus formation. Hexosamine levels were comparable in both treatments, while hydroxyproline was higher in the hordenine group. Histopathology showed hordenine-treated animals had faster wound healing and enhanced epithelialisation compared to andrographolide-treated animals.

CONCLUSION

Andrographolide and hordenine exhibited wound healing activity in MRSA-infected wounds, promotes fibroblast proliferation and migration, as well as fostering angiogenesis.