Kaempferia galanga cream accelerates wound healing through modulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-10 in an excision wound model.

Abstract

Traditionally used to treat inflammatory diseases, Kaempferia galanga L. includes bioactive substances with anti-inflammatory properties, such as eugenol and ethyl p-methoxycinnamate. Its potential as a topical treatment for wound healing is yet unclear, though. This study aims to assess the ability of K. galanga cream (KGC) in accelerating wound healing and to observe its effects on excisional wound models based on plasma levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Six groups (n = 5) were created from thirty male Wistar rats. After creating a 1.5-cm full-thickness wound on the dorsal side, without treatment as a control, a base cream as a negative control, 10% povidone-iodine cream as a positive control, or KGC (5%, 10%, or 15%) was applied topically every day for 14 days. On days 7 and 14, the ImageJ software was used to quantify the wound area. Plasma TNF-α and IL-10 levels were measured on day 15 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and statistical evaluation was conducted via one-way analysis of variance with Tukey's post hoc test. KGC markedly improved wound healing versus the negative control. The 10% formulation produced the greatest effect, reducing wound area by 65.3% on day 14 (P < 0.001). It also markedly decreased TNF-α levels by 38.7% (P < 0.001) and increased IL-10 levels by 42.5% (P < 0.001) compared with the negative control. The 10% KGC demonstrated the most effective wound healing activity, likely through modulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. These findings support its potential as a topical herbal formulation for wound management.