Wound-healing efficacy of Libidibia ferrea fruit-derived topical formulations in Wistar rats

Libidibia ferrea var. ferrea (Mart. ex Tul.) L.P. Queiroz (syn. Caesalpinia ferrea), popularly known as jucá, is widely distributed in the Amazon region and northeastern Brazil and is conventionally used to treat various diseases, including diabetes, infections, and inflammatory conditions. This study evaluated the healing effects of topical formulations derived from L. ferrea fruits on cutaneous wounds induced in Wistar rats. Three topical preparations were assessed: A glycolic extract of L. ferrea, a fruit infusion formulation (InLf), and a carbopol gel formulation (GLf). The phytochemical compounds present in the formulations, such as tannins and flavonoids, are known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, which are essential for the healing process. Histopathological methods were used to evaluate healing, including analysis of epithelialization, granulation tissue formation, and collagen deposition. The results demonstrated that InLf and GLf significantly accelerated healing, with greater type I collagen deposition in the groups treated with these formulations, suggesting a more advanced tissue repair process. Among the formulations, InLf demonstrated the most pronounced healing effects, possibly due to its higher flavonoid content. The in silico study showed that the main markers of this species—gallic acid and ethyl gallate—are involved in the observed pharmacological response, modulating vascular proliferation and fibroblast activity. Overall, these findings reinforce the therapeutic potential of L. ferrea in the development of natural healing agents.