Evaluation of the wound healing effects of a hydrogel containing hydroalcoholic extract of Chelidonium majus in a rat model.

This study aimed to develop an innovative wound dressing by loading Chelidonium majus L. extract into an alginate hydrogel matrix and to assess its efficacy in wound healing. The extract of C. majus, famous for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant features, was obtained from plant material collected in Mazandaran Province, Iran, and incorporated into sodium alginate hydrogels at concentrations of 2% and 5% w/w. The hydrogel formulations were characterized in terms of their morphological, thermal, and swelling properties, demonstrating interconnected porous structures, altered thermal behavior indicating increased amorphous content, and high moisture absorption capacity. To evaluate biological activity, the antioxidant and flavonoid content of the extract were measured, showing notable free radical scavenging ability and high levels of flavonoids. An in vivo wound healing model using adult male Wistar rats compared the effectiveness of control, bare hydrogel, C. majus-loaded hydrogels (2% and 5%), and diltiazem treatments. Wounds treated with the 5% C. majus hydrogel showed accelerated closure rates and improved tissue regeneration, as confirmed by histological examination and enhanced expression of proliferative and regenerative genes (TGF-β) alongside decreased inflammatory markers (TNF-α and IL-1β), in comparison with the control group. These results indicate that C. majus-loaded alginate hydrogel, especially at a 5% concentration, promotes wound healing through offering a wet environment, supporting cell proliferation, and modulating inflammation. This hydrogel may represent a promising topical therapeutic option for treating skin wounds.