TY - JOUR ID - TI - Evaluation of the healing activity of Cucurbita spp. leaf and seed extracts on experimental thermal burns AU - Sanaa Jameel Thamer PY - 2021 VL - 7 IS - 4 SP - 352 EP - 365 JO - Karbala International Journal of Modern Science مجلة كربلاء العالمية للعلوم الحديثة SN - 2405609X 24056103 AB - Burns are the most common skin injuries associated with many complications and high incidences ofwound infections. Many compounds of plant products have been assessed to accelerate wound healingor reduce contamination. The possible healing effect of two Cucurbita spp. in skin burns wasinvestigated. Cucurbita maxima and Cucurbita pepo leaves and seeds were extracted using ethanol andanalyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Second-degree burn wounds were made onlaboratory rats, and the burn wounds were applied topically with extracts for 14 days and silversulfadiazine (SS) for comparison. Serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was analyzed posttreatment. Hydroxyproline content and histopathological changes were evaluated in skin biopsy.Phytochemical analysis displayed that C. maxima leaf extracts contain linolenic acid (21.94%), phytol(6.45%), and ascorbic acid (9.09%), and they were characterized by glucopyranoside (8.49%) andlimonene (5.39%) compounds. The C. pepo leaves were characterized by palmitic acid (48.04%) andalkaloid (tetratriacontane: 13.11%). The seeds extracts of both Cucurbita spp. revealed a high ratio oflinoleic acid, palmitic acid, and ascorbic acid. The leaf extracts accelerated wound contraction by 100%,with normal skin appearance, due to their more structural tissue layers, regular collagen fbers, ability toreduce inflammation, and high hydroxyproline content compared to the seed extracts and SS group. Thebioactivity of unsaturated fatty acids, ascorbic acid, monoterpene, glycosides, and alkaloids provided thetherapeutic property of these extracts. Serum VEGF was signifcantly reduced in the groups treated withextracts compared with those treated by the SS group. The leaf extracts of both Cucurbita speciesexhibited a healing efciency on burn wounds, which were more effective than the seed extracts. Thus,they can be used as a promising plant derivative in burn treatments.

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