Antioxidant, antimicrobial, and wound-healing effects of Moringa oleifera extract on incised wounds in rats

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the potential of Moringa oleifera extracts in accelerating incisional wound healing in rats, with a focus on antimicrobial activity and the modulation of wound-healing-related gene expression. Incisional wounds infected by microorganisms remain a significant health problem, particularly in tropical countries such as Indonesia. Extracts derived from the roots, stems, and leaves of Moringa oleifera contain various bioactive compounds known for their antimicrobial and therapeutic properties. Extraction was performed separately on the roots, stems, and leaves. Antibacterial activity of all extracts was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus. Among the tested plant parts, the root extract demonstrated the strongest antibacterial activity and was therefore selected for further analysis. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was conducted on the root extract to identify bioactive compounds responsible for its antimicrobial effects. An in vivo study using a rat incisional wound model was subsequently performed to evaluate the wound-healing efficacy of the root extract. Gene expression analysis revealed increased expression of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), along with a decreased expression of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) in treatment groups compared to controls. These findings suggest that Moringa oleifera root extract has strong antibacterial properties and can positively influence wound-healing-related gene expression, supporting its potential development as an effective and affordable wound-healing ointment for use in tropical regions.