Investigation of the therapeutic effect of Arum dioscoridis plant via NF-ĸB pathway in rat wound model

Objective: The aim of our study is to investigate the healing effects of Arum dioscoridis (AD), a plant traditionally used in wound treatment, on a full-thickness skin wound model created in rats through the NF-κB signaling pathway using histopathological and biochemical methods, and to compare this effect with a standard treatment method (Fitokrem). Materials and Methods: The rats were divided into 5 experimental groups. Group 1 (Control), group 2 (Wound), group 3 (Gel Control), group 4 (Arum dioscoridis - AD), and group 5 (Fitokrem). The extract of the Arum dioscoridis plant was obtained using methanol. The groups were examined for changes in wound area percentage, histopathological evaluations of the wound tissue (HE, MT and IHC staining) and biochemical analyses in serum (ELISA; NF-κB, TNF-α, VEGF, IL-6, MDA and SOD values). Findings: In the study, both the AD group (group 4) and the Fitokrem group (group 5) showed higher results in both macroscopic wound area reduction and histopathological healing scores compared to the untreated wound (group 2) and the control gel group (group 3). Histopathological examinations (HE and MT staining) on day 14 revealed complete reepithelialization, hair follicle formation, collagen accumulation, and granulation tissue reaching normal skin thickness in the AD and Fitokrem groups. Biochemical analyses (ELISA) revealed that levels of proinflammatory markers NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly lower in the AD and Fitokrem groups compared to the wound and control gel groups. VEGF levels, which are important for angiogenesis and wound proliferation, were found to be highest in the AD gel and Fitokrem groups. Conclusion: The hydrogel containing the methanol extract of Arum dioscoridis showed an effect similar to that of Fitokrem, which is known for its healing properties. It demonstrated that it could offer effective potential in wound treatment by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway to reduce inflammation and by increasing cell activation, hair follicle formation, angiogenesis, and collagen synthesis. Keywords: Arum dioscoridis, IL-6, NF-ĸB pathway, TNF-α, VEGF, wound healing