Exploring the Wound-Healing Properties of Anchusa azurea: A Nanoliposome-Based Approach

Anchusa azurea has attracted increasing interest as a medicinal plant due to its phenolic and flavonoid compounds, which may contribute to its antioxidant and wound-healing activities. In this study, aqueous (AW) and aqueous ethanolic (AE) extracts obtained from the aerial parts of Anchusa azurea by ultrasonic extraction were evaluated for their phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity, and wound-healing efficacy using in vitro and in vivo models. The AE extract exhibited higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents and stronger antioxidant activity than the AW extract. Cytotoxicity was assessed on human skin fibroblasts, adult (HDFa) cells, using the MTT assay. Both extracts showed no significant cytotoxic effects. AW-loaded nanoliposomes (AWNP) and AE-loaded nanoliposomes (AENP) were successfully prepared, and scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering analyses confirmed nanoscale vesicles with negative zeta potential values. In vitro release studies demonstrated biphasic release profiles, with AENP exhibiting greater cumulative release than AWNP. In a rat excisional wound model, nanoliposomal formulations significantly enhanced wound contraction compared with crude extracts and controls. Histopathological evaluation demonstrated increased collagen deposition, neovascularization, and re-epithelialization, particularly in the AE and AENP groups. These findings suggest that the phenolic-rich aqueous ethanolic extract and its nanoliposomal formulation are promising candidates for wound-healing applications.