Effect of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seed extract on wound healing in mice.

Abstract

Salvia hispanica L. either commonly known as chia seed, can help in inflammatory skin disease including wound healing. However, the pharmacological activity and benefits of chia seed for wound healing need to be validated. The current study is designed to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of chia seed extract used as a topical drug for secondary wound healing in mice. Chia seed extract was analysed some active ingredients and properties, such as fatty acid compositions, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial activity. Male BALB/cAJcl mice were divided into 4 groups (n = 24), given 6 mm circular area, treated for 9 consecutive days with different applications: propylene glycol, 4% chia seed extract, 8% chia seed extract, and 1% silver sulfadiazine. The investigated parameters were the percentage of wound contraction and histopathological examination. Chia seed extract consists of major fatty acids, alpha-linolenic and linoleic acid; total phenolic compound, also has ability to eliminate free radicals by using DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS assay, and did not show the antibacterial property. Wound contraction increased significantly on day 9 in groups treated with 8%, 4% v/v chia seed extract, and 1% silver-sulfadiazine, rising to 97.98, 97.14, 89.17 percent respectively, compared to propylene glycol group, 76.49 (P<0.001). Histopathological studies showed infiltration of a number of fibroblasts, collagen, and ves-sels occurring in the treated groups. Chia seed extract is a good natural plant which could be used as topical treatment for activating wound healing.