In regions adjacent to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, Virola oleifera (VO) resin extract has been popularly used for decades as a skin and mucosal healing agent. However, this antioxidant-rich resin has not yet been investigated in wound healing, whose physiological process might also be aggravated by oxidative stress-related diseases (e.g., hypertension/diabetes). Our aim, therefore, was to investigate whether VO resin presents healing effects through an innovative cream for topical applications. For this, adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Then, four 15 mm excisions were performed on the shaved skin. All treatments were applied topically to the wound area daily. At the end of experiments (0, 3rd, and 10th days) macroscopic analysis of wound tissue contraction and histological analysis of inflammatory cell parameters were performed. The group treated with VO cream showed the best wound contraction (15%, p < 0.05) and reduced levels of lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation (118% and 110%, p < 0.05, respectively) compared to the control group. Our results demonstrated the healing capacity of a new formulation prepared with VO, which could be, at least in part, justified by antioxidant mechanisms that contribute to re-epithelialization, becoming a promising dermo-cosmetic for the treatment of wound healing.
Keywords: antioxidant; bicuíba; healing; oxidative stress; plant extract; polyphenols; reepithelization.