Evaluation of in vitro antioxidant activity of chrysin and in vivo wound healing potential of an optimized chrysin emulgel formulation.

Abstract

The present study evaluated the in vivo wound healing activity of an optimized chrysin emulgel formulation. Antioxidant potential was confirmed through ferrous ion chelation and DPPH radical scavenging assays, showing dose-dependent activity with IC₅₀ values of 1755.78 µg/ml and 141.68 µg/ml, respectively. Acute dermal toxicity testing (OECD Guideline 402) revealed no signs of dermal or systemic toxicity at 2000 mg/kg. Wound healing efficacy was assessed using incision and excision models in Wistar albino rats, with animals divided into control (emulgel base), standard (1% silver sulfadiazine), and test (chrysin emulgel) groups. In the incision model, the test group achieved a tensile strength of 561.17 ± 1.11 g, comparable to the standard (565.33 ± 0.88 g). In the excision model, the chrysin emulgel achieved 97.93% wound contraction by day 12 with an epithelization period of 14.83 ± 0.30 days, similar to the standard (98.17%; 14.33 ± 0.42 days). Overall, the optimized chrysin emulgel demonstrated strong antioxidant activity, effective wound healing, and excellent safety, suggesting its potential as a natural alternative to silver sulfadiazine for topical wound management.