Wound-Healing Potential of <i>Myristica fragrans</i> Essential Oil: A Multi-Targeted Approach Involving Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Apoptosis Regulation

<b>Background:</b> Essential oils are widely studied for their therapeutic potential, including their role in wound healing. <i>Myristica fragrans</i> essential oil (MEO) has been previously investigated for various pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory and...

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Main Authors: Yahya I. Asiri, Krishnaraju Venkatesan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Pharmaceuticals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/6/880
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author Yahya I. Asiri
Krishnaraju Venkatesan
author_facet Yahya I. Asiri
Krishnaraju Venkatesan
author_sort Yahya I. Asiri
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background:</b> Essential oils are widely studied for their therapeutic potential, including their role in wound healing. <i>Myristica fragrans</i> essential oil (MEO) has been previously investigated for various pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. However, its mechanistic role in accelerating wound healing and modulating critical pathways, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, remains poorly characterized. MEO contains a rich profile of monoterpene esters, sesquiterpenoids, and phenolic acids, which may contribute to its bioactivity through unique multi-targeted mechanisms. <b>Objective:</b> This research aims to investigate the curative properties of MEO on wound repair, specifically its capacity to regulate inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in an excision wound model using Wistar rats. <b>Methods:</b> Chemical characterization via GC-MS analysis identified Nitrobenzoate Esters (12.85%), Terpenoid/Cineole (6.99%), and Gamma-Terpinene (4.67%) as the dominant constituents. This study utilized a full-thickness excision wound model, and wound contraction, inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α), a macrophage cell surface marker (CD68), oxidative stress markers (ROS MDA, SOD, GSH), and apoptotic regulation (Caspase-3) was evaluated using macroscopic, histopathological, and immunohistochemical analyses. <b>Result:</b> MEO treatment significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β (658.3 ± 32.7 pg/mg, *** <i>p</i> < 0.005) and TNF-α (266.7 ± 33.3 pg/mg, *** <i>p</i> < 0.005), compared to the control group (983.3 ± 60.1 and 650 ± 42.8 ** <i>p</i> < 0.05, respectively). CD68 expression was also markedly decreased (12.67 ± 0.71 ng/mL, *** <i>p</i> < 0.005). Furthermore, MEO effectively attenuated oxidative stress by reducing ROS and MDA levels while restoring antioxidant enzymes GSH and SOD. <b>Conclusions:</b> This study demonstrates that Mace Essential Oil (MEO) effectively promotes wound healing by modulating inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in a preclinical rat model. Its unique bioactive components suggest significant therapeutic potential as a botanical agent for skin repair. Further research is warranted to explore its application in advanced wound-care formulations.
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spelling doaj-art-db6dc5dae1d848638b3f94201a6778ad2025-08-20T03:16:22ZengMDPI AGPharmaceuticals1424-82472025-06-0118688010.3390/ph18060880Wound-Healing Potential of <i>Myristica fragrans</i> Essential Oil: A Multi-Targeted Approach Involving Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Apoptosis RegulationYahya I. Asiri0Krishnaraju Venkatesan1Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia<b>Background:</b> Essential oils are widely studied for their therapeutic potential, including their role in wound healing. <i>Myristica fragrans</i> essential oil (MEO) has been previously investigated for various pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. However, its mechanistic role in accelerating wound healing and modulating critical pathways, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, remains poorly characterized. MEO contains a rich profile of monoterpene esters, sesquiterpenoids, and phenolic acids, which may contribute to its bioactivity through unique multi-targeted mechanisms. <b>Objective:</b> This research aims to investigate the curative properties of MEO on wound repair, specifically its capacity to regulate inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in an excision wound model using Wistar rats. <b>Methods:</b> Chemical characterization via GC-MS analysis identified Nitrobenzoate Esters (12.85%), Terpenoid/Cineole (6.99%), and Gamma-Terpinene (4.67%) as the dominant constituents. This study utilized a full-thickness excision wound model, and wound contraction, inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α), a macrophage cell surface marker (CD68), oxidative stress markers (ROS MDA, SOD, GSH), and apoptotic regulation (Caspase-3) was evaluated using macroscopic, histopathological, and immunohistochemical analyses. <b>Result:</b> MEO treatment significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β (658.3 ± 32.7 pg/mg, *** <i>p</i> < 0.005) and TNF-α (266.7 ± 33.3 pg/mg, *** <i>p</i> < 0.005), compared to the control group (983.3 ± 60.1 and 650 ± 42.8 ** <i>p</i> < 0.05, respectively). CD68 expression was also markedly decreased (12.67 ± 0.71 ng/mL, *** <i>p</i> < 0.005). Furthermore, MEO effectively attenuated oxidative stress by reducing ROS and MDA levels while restoring antioxidant enzymes GSH and SOD. <b>Conclusions:</b> This study demonstrates that Mace Essential Oil (MEO) effectively promotes wound healing by modulating inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in a preclinical rat model. Its unique bioactive components suggest significant therapeutic potential as a botanical agent for skin repair. Further research is warranted to explore its application in advanced wound-care formulations.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/6/880mace oilessential oilwound healing<i>Myristica fragrans</i>
spellingShingle Yahya I. Asiri
Krishnaraju Venkatesan
Wound-Healing Potential of <i>Myristica fragrans</i> Essential Oil: A Multi-Targeted Approach Involving Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Apoptosis Regulation
Pharmaceuticals
mace oil
essential oil
wound healing
<i>Myristica fragrans</i>
title Wound-Healing Potential of <i>Myristica fragrans</i> Essential Oil: A Multi-Targeted Approach Involving Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Apoptosis Regulation
title_full Wound-Healing Potential of <i>Myristica fragrans</i> Essential Oil: A Multi-Targeted Approach Involving Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Apoptosis Regulation
title_fullStr Wound-Healing Potential of <i>Myristica fragrans</i> Essential Oil: A Multi-Targeted Approach Involving Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Apoptosis Regulation
title_full_unstemmed Wound-Healing Potential of <i>Myristica fragrans</i> Essential Oil: A Multi-Targeted Approach Involving Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Apoptosis Regulation
title_short Wound-Healing Potential of <i>Myristica fragrans</i> Essential Oil: A Multi-Targeted Approach Involving Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Apoptosis Regulation
title_sort wound healing potential of i myristica fragrans i essential oil a multi targeted approach involving inflammation oxidative stress and apoptosis regulation
topic mace oil
essential oil
wound healing
<i>Myristica fragrans</i>
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/6/880
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