Phytochemical Analysis, In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Ficus altissima Extract‐Based Ointment and Hydrogel on Wound Healing

OBJECTIVE: Wound healing is a sequential mechanism that occurs in four successive stages: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Delayed wound healing and the subsequent complications can be observed in poorly controlled chronic diseases and immunocompromised patients. This study focused on the wound-healing activity of Ficus altissima extract-based formulations, exploring their phytochemical and biological properties. METHODS: Phytochemical characterization was conducted using HPLC, GC-MS, and spectroscopic methods for quantification of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Disk diffusion was utilized to test the antimicrobial effects of the extract, and antioxidant activity was measured using DPPH assay. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by the quantification of NF-κB and TNF-α levels in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. An ointment and hydrogel were prepared from F. altissima aerial parts and tested for their wound-healing effect using skin wound-healing model in rats. RESULTS: , respectively. F. altissima downregulated TNF-α and NF-κB expression and inhibited the microbial growth of various microorganisms. Both formulations improved wound closure, with the ointment showing superior results within 10 days. CONCLUSIONS: F. altissima extract, particularly in an ointment form, effectively promoted wound healing and tissue regeneration, and this effect can be linked to the detected phenolic acids and flavonoids with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties.