The Himatanthus genus presents anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activities, suggesting potential wound-healing properties. This study aimed to develop and analyze the wound-healing properties of a photopolymerizable gelatin-based hydrogel (GelMA) containing an ethanolic extract of Himatanthus bracteatus in a murine model. The extract was obtained under high pressure conditions, incorporated (2%) into the GelMA (GelMA-HB), and physically characterized. The anti-inflammatory activity of the extract was assessed using a carrageenan-induced pleurisy model and the GelMA-HB scarring properties in a wound-healing assay. The extract reduced IL-1β and TNF-α levels (48.5 ± 6.7 and 64.1 ± 4.9 pg/mL) compared to the vehicle (94.4 ± 2.3 pg/mL and 106.3 ± 5.7 pg/mL; p < 0.001). GelMA-HB depicted significantly lower swelling and increased resistance to mechanical compression compared to GelMA (p < 0.05). GelMA-HB accelerated wound closure over the time course of the experiment (p < 0.05) and promoted a significantly greater peak of myofibroblast differentiation (36.1 ± 6.6 cells) and microvascular density (23.1 ± 0.7 microvessels) on day 7 in comparison to GelMA (31.9 ± 5.3 cells and 20.2 ± 0.6 microvessels) and the control (25.8 ± 4.6 cells and 17.5 ± 0.5 microvessels) (p < 0.05). In conclusion, GelMA-HB improved wound healing in rodents, probably by modulating the inflammatory response and myofibroblastic and microvascular differentiation.
Keywords: GelMA; Himatanthus bracteatus ethanolic extract; Wistar rats; gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel; iridoids.