Black Mulberry Fruit Ointment Speeds Up Wound Healing: Lab and Real-Life Study

Greg Howard
15th May, 2024

Black Mulberry Fruit Ointment Speeds Up Wound Healing: Lab and Real-Life Study

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study from Islamic Azad University, Rasht, found that unripe black mulberry (Morus nigra) fruit extract has strong antimicrobial properties
  • An ointment with 8% of this extract significantly reduced wound areas in rats and made microbial loads uncountable after six days
  • The extract also modulated inflammatory responses, decreasing pro-inflammatory genes and increasing anti-inflammatory genes, without harming human fibroblast cells
Accelerating wound healing, preventing infection, and minimizing scar formation are critical medical challenges. A recent study from the Islamic Azad University, Rasht, investigates the antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and anticancer properties of Morus nigra (black mulberry) fruit extracts to address these issues[1]. The study tested extracts from both ripe and unripe M. nigra fruits for antimicrobial activity. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to identify the components in these extracts, revealing ascorbic acid as the most abundant compound, followed by naringenin and gallic acid. An ointment containing 8% of the extract was formulated and tested on 48 Wistar rats, divided into eight groups. The ointment was applied daily, and the progression of wound healing was monitored over nine days. Tissue histology and wound healing were assessed, and the expression levels of TGF-β, TNF-α, and IL-1 mRNA were analyzed to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects. The results showed that unripe M. nigra fruit extract had strong antimicrobial properties against both standard and hospital-acquired bacterial strains. In the groups treated with the MNF extract ointment, there was a significant reduction in the wound area compared to control groups (p < 0.05). Microbial load on the wounds became uncountable after six days of treatment, indicating potent antimicrobial activity. Histological analysis revealed an increase in fibroblasts and angiogenesis, as well as a modulation of neutrophils over the treatment period. There was a significant decrease in the expression of pro-inflammatory genes IL-1 and TNF-α, and an increase in the expression of the anti-inflammatory gene TGF-β (p < 0.05). Importantly, the extract showed no significant cytotoxic effects on human fibroblast cells (p > 0.05). The findings of this study align with earlier research on wound healing and infection prevention. For instance, a study on chitosan/gelatin/polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels prepared via gamma irradiation demonstrated good physical properties and coagulation effects, making them suitable for wound dressing applications[2]. Similarly, the current study's use of MNF extract ointment shows promising potential due to its antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties. The transition from the inflammatory to the proliferative phase is crucial for effective wound healing, as highlighted in another review[3]. The MNF extract ointment's ability to modulate inflammatory markers and promote fibroblast activity supports this transition, potentially reducing complications in wound healing. Furthermore, the use of natural phytomedicines, as discussed in another review[4], has been shown to be effective in treating wounds and preventing infections. The MNF extract aligns with this approach, offering a natural alternative with significant therapeutic benefits. Additionally, the study on Tridax procumbens plant extract-infused herbal ointments, which showed significant antimicrobial activity and low cytotoxicity, further supports the use of plant-based treatments in wound care[5]. The MNF extract ointment similarly exhibited strong antimicrobial properties and low cytotoxicity, making it a viable option for treating both infectious and non-infectious skin wounds. In conclusion, the study conducted by the Islamic Azad University, Rasht, demonstrates that unripe M. nigra fruit extract ointment is effective in accelerating wound healing, reducing microbial load, and modulating inflammatory responses without significant cytotoxic effects. This positions it as a promising candidate for the treatment of skin wounds, aligning with and expanding upon previous research in the field.

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References

Main Study

1) Facilitation of infectious and non-infectious wound healing using Morus nigra fruit extract ointment: An in vitro and in vivo study.

Published 13th May, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112230

Related Studies

2) Preparation and characterization of chitosan/gelatin/PVA hydrogel for wound dressings.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2016.03.002

3) Transition from inflammation to proliferation: a critical step during wound healing.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-016-2268-0

4) The Therapeutic Wound Healing Bioactivities of Various Medicinal Plants.

https://doi.org/10.3390/life13020317

5) Enhancement of cell migration and wound healing by nano-herb ointment formulated with biosurfactant, silver nanoparticles and Tridax procumbens.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1225769


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