Chronic wounds may lead to the development of various pathological conditions such as diabetic foot ulcers and pressure sores. The current study evaluated wound healing and anti-inflammatory potentials of methanolic extract of Ephedra ciliata using series of in vivo models. Methanolic extract of Ephedra ciliata was prepared by maceration (Ec.Me). Qualitative and quantitative (HPLC) phytochemical and metal analyses were conducted to explore the chemical and metal profiles of Ec.Me. Safety profile (behavioural) and, antimicrobial, antioxidant, wound healing, anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic potentials of Ec.Me were evaluated using well-established in vitro and in vivo models. ELISA assay was performed to estimate the effects of Ec.Me treatment on serum levels of TNF-α. HPLC analysis identified quercetin as one of the major compounds in Ec.Me. Safety study data showed that Ec.Me was safe up to the dose of 2000 mg/kg. Antimicrobial assay data showed that Ec.Me was active against bacterial (Staphylococcus aureus) as well as fungal (Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger) strains. Ec.Me showed modertate antioxidant potential in in vitro and in vivo models. Data of excision and burn wound healing models showed that Ec.Me, promoted wound closure in a dose and time-dependent manner. Treatment with 20% Ec.Me cream and heparin showed almost the same effects with no statistical differences (p > 0.05). Ec.Me also showed time-dependent anti-inflammatory activities in both acute and chronic models. In carrageenan model, treatment with 200 mg/kg of Ec.Me showed comparable anti-inflammatory effects (p > 0.05) with quercetin and indomethacin throughout the study. In cotton pellet granuloma model treatment with 200 mg/kg of Ec.Me and indomethacin inhibited granuloma formation significantly better (p < 0.05) as compared with the rest of the treatment groups. Histopathological examination of skin samples showed marked improvement in architecture with minimal infiltration of inflammatory cells. Data of in vivo angiogenesis assay showed marked improvement in vessels length, density, branching points, total segments and total nets after treatment with Ec.Me, indicating no toxic effects towards vasculature development. Significant (p < 0.05) downregulation of TNF-α was observed in serum samples of animals treated with Ec.Me. Based on data of the current study, it is concluded that quercetin-rich extract of Ephedra ciliata has wound healing and anti-inflammatory potentials via downregulation of TNF-α. Moreover, it is suggested that the antimicrobial activity of Ec.Me prevented microbial invasion, thus promoted natural wound healing mechanisms as well.

中文翻译：

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麻黄的甲醇提取物可通过下调TNF-α促进伤口愈合并在体内阻止炎症级联反应。

慢性伤口可能导致各种病理状况的发展，例如糖尿病足溃疡和褥疮。当前的研究使用一系列体内模型评估了麻黄甲醇提取物的伤口愈合和抗炎潜力。通过浸渍（Ec.Me）制备了麻黄的甲醇提取物。进行了定性和定量（HPLC）植物化学和金属分析，以探索Ec.Me的化学和金属谱。使用成熟的体外和体内模型评估了Ec.Me的安全性（行为）以及抗菌，抗氧化剂，伤口愈合，抗炎和抗血管生成的潜力。进行ELISA测定以评估Ec.Me处理对血清TNF-α的影响。HPLC分析确定槲皮素是Ec.Me中的主要化合物之一。安全研究数据表明，Ec.Me在2000 mg / kg剂量以下是安全的。抗菌测定数据表明，Ec.Me对细菌（金黄色葡萄球菌）和真菌（白色念珠菌和黑曲霉）菌株均具有活性。Ec.Me在体外和体内模型中显示出适度的抗氧化剂潜力。切除和烧伤创面愈合模型的数据表明，Ec.Me以剂量和时间依赖性方式促进创面闭合。用20％Ec.Me乳膏和肝素治疗显示几乎相同的效果，无统计学差异（p> 0.05）。Ec.Me在急性和慢性模型中均显示出时间依赖性的抗炎活性。在角叉菜胶模型中，在整个研究过程中，用槲皮素和消炎痛用200 mg / kg的Ec.Me处理显示出可比的抗炎作用（p> 0.05）。与其他治疗组相比，在棉球颗粒肉芽肿模型治疗中，以200 mg / kg的Ec.Me和消炎痛治疗可抑制肉芽肿的形成（p <0.05）。皮肤样品的组织病理学检查显示，炎症细胞浸润最小，结构显着改善。体内血管生成测定的数据显示，用Ec.Me处理后，血管长度，密度，分支点，总节段和总网状细胞明显改善，表明对脉管系统的发育没有毒性作用。在用Ec.Me处理的动物的血清样品中观察到TNF-α的显着（p <0.05）下调。根据当前研究的数据，可以得出结论，富含麻黄素的麻黄提取物通过下调TNF-α具有伤口愈合和抗炎的潜力。