Evaluation of the wound-healing activity of triterpenoid saponins isolated from Momordica cymbalaria in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Objectives: Saponins have shown promising wound-healing activity, and Momordica cymbalaria (Family: Cucurbitaceae ) has been reported for its antidiabetic properties. This study aims to isolate saponins from M. cymbalaria and evaluate their antidiabetic and wound-healing activity in diabetic rats. The study assesses the efficacy of a saponin-based ointment (triterpenoid saponins of M. cymbalaria [TSMC]) on wound healing in diabetic conditions using excision and incision wound models in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: The roots of M. cymbalaria were used for saponin extraction, and the TSMC extract underwent an acute dermal toxicity study (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 434). Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats using streptozotocin (STZ) (45 mg/kg, i.v.), and the animals were divided into five groups: Normal wound control (G1), diabetic wound control (G2), diabetic rats treated with 5% povidone ointment (G3), 0.5% TSMC ointment (G4) and 0.75% TSMC ointment (G5). Excision and incision models were used to assess wound-healing parameters, including epithelialisation period, wound contraction, skin tensile strength, antioxidant enzyme levels, hydroxyproline content and histopathological changes. Results: The excision wound model showed significantly lower wound contraction and granulation tissue weight in G2 rats compared to G1 ( P < 0.001). Treatment with TSMC (G3, G4 and G5) significantly improved wound contraction, hydroxyproline content and catalase and superoxide dismutase levels, while reducing lipid peroxidation levels ( P < 0.001). The incision wound model revealed decreased tensile strength in G2 ( P < 0.001), whereas G3, G4 and G5 exhibited significantly higher tensile strength ( P < 0.01). These results suggest that TSMC enhances wound healing by promoting antioxidant activity, collagen synthesis and tissue regeneration in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Conclusion: The study confirms that TSMC ointment, containing saponins from M. cymbalaria , exhibits significant wound-healing potential in diabetic conditions. Treatment with 0.75% w/w TSMC ointment accelerated wound contraction, reduced epithelialisation time, enhanced tensile strength and improved biochemical markers of healing. Histological findings further validated enhanced collagen formation and reduced inflammatory response in the treated groups. The results suggest that TSMC could be a promising therapeutic agent for diabetic wound healing, warranting further clinical investigations.