Bergenia ciliata Formulations Promote Wound Healing via Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anti-Inflammatory, and Biomarkers Modulation

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate the bactericidal, radical scavenging, and anti-inflammatory activities of various formulations of Bergenia ciliata. The formulations were characterized using UV–vis, FTIR, DLS, zeta, and SEM for λ_max (200–800 nm), peak shift (720–3600 cm⁻¹)_, charge, size, and morphology, respectively. BC extract showed comparable antioxidant and iron chelation potential with ascorbic acid at low concentrations, while chia mucilage synergistically enhanced it by 1.30%. CH-BC AgNPs showed concentration-dependent bactericidal action (6 mg/mL > 4 mg/mL > 2 mg/mL) with the largest zone of inhibition (ZOI) against E. coli at 6 mg/mL, and the smallest against P. flourescens at 2 mg/mL. Furthermore, at pH 7, the largest ZOI was observed against P. aeruginosa, while the smallest was against S. aureus at pH 11. At 20 °C, the greatest ZOI was assessed against E. coli, and the smallest for S. aureus at 10 °C. Carrageenan-induced paw edema (50 µL, 1%) normalized after 4 h with diclofenac sodium, 3 h with CH-BC AgNPs, and 12 h with multiple treatments. CH-BC AgNPs also restored (P < 0.001) the MMP7, MMP9, TNF-α, IL-8, and CAT levels and improved the reepithelialization, fibroblast migration, and immune cell infiltration. In conclusion, these findings indicate that B. ciliata formulations have a significant in vitro and in vivo wound-healing capacity, which could pave the way for future mechanistic research in various biomedical dimensions.