Assessment of the Impact of Astragalus floccosus Boiss. Extract on Wound Based on Phytoestrogenic Properties: An In vitro and In vivo Study

Abstract

Background: Investigations have shown that estrogen affects wound healing through skin receptors. Astragalus floccosus Boiss. contains estrogen-like isoflavonoids. This study examined the effects of A. floccosus Boiss (A. floccosus) extract on wound healing in vitro and in vivo. Methods: For the in vitro test, Human Fetal Foreskin Fibroblast 2 (HFFF2) cells treated with the root extract of A. floccosus were followed over a 48-hour period. For the in vivo test, rats were categorized into five groups and received daily applications of a cream containing different concentrations of the extract: 5%, 10%, silver sulfadiazine, the ointment base, and no treatment for a duration of 21 days. The wound size and full-thickness wound healing were measured throughout the inspection, and a histological study was conducted as well. The two-way repeated measures ANOVA test was employed, with a significance level of 0.05 (P≤0.05) being used in all cases. Results: A. floccosus at 125 ppm significantly improved the closer region and wound healing in HFFF2 cells over all periods of time and showed a significant healing effect during 8-12 h (P=0.0234). Moreover, an increase in fibrosis (compared to the base (P=0.0005), the 10% extract (P<0.0001), silver (P=0.0005), and free (P<0.0001) groups), epithelization (compared to base (P=0.0006), the 10% extract (P=0.0008), silver (P=0.0007), and free (P=0.0006) groups), and proliferation of fibroblasts (compared to the 10% extract and free groups (P=0.0020 and P=0.0024, respectively) were seen in the 5% extract sample on day 10. Conclusion: Wound healing processes were observed in rats treated with a 5% A. floccosus extract cream. This finding highlights the potential for future studies on wound healing processes using this extract. © Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences.