Topical administration of Juniperus polycarpos K. Koch extract triggered wound healing by decreasing inflammation and accelerating cell proliferation in diabetic rat model

One of the primary difficulties for individuals with diabetes is the development of chronic wounds. The current research sought to investigate the potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Juniperus polycarpos K. Koch (JP) extract when topically applied in diabetic wound healing. A total of 75 diabetic rats were randomly assigned into the control group, eucerin group, 2 % Juniperus polycarpos K. Koch ointment (JP 2 %) group, 5 % Juniperus polycarpos K. Koch ointment (JP 5 %) group, and phenytoin group. Skin samples were obtained on days 7, 14, and 21 to assess them through histological, molecular, and biomechanical methods. The results indicated that in the treatment groups, there was a significant enhancement in the rate of wound healing, the volumes of newly formed epidermis and dermis, the overall number of fibroblasts and blood vessels, collagen deposition, and biomechanical parameters compared to the control and eucerin groups, with the most pronounced changes observed in the JP 5 % group. Furthermore, there was a significant rise in the transcripts of TGF-β and VEGF genes in the treatment groups compared to the control and eucerin groups, with the highest levels of expression seen in the JP 5 % group. In the JP 5 % group, there was a significantly larger reduction in TNF-α and IL-1β expression, along with a decrease in neutrophil count, compared to the other groups. These findings confirmed that the topical application of JP extract, particularly at a 5 % concentration, significantly accelerated the healing of diabetic wounds.