Abstract

Background:
The rising need for adjunctive plant-based wound therapeutics featuring anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and pro-healing properties stems from the growing concern of antibiotic-resistant wound infections in companion animals.

Aim:
To determine the main bacterial agents in feline wound infections and to test a new polyherbal gel made from Punica granatum peel, Rosmarinus officinalis leaves and Cucurbita moschata fibers on Staphylococcus aureus infected rat wounds model.

Methods:
VITEK-2 confirmed the results of culturing and blood, MacConkey, and Mannitol salt agars from Waseda in Veterinary blood collection camps in Baghdad. The plant materials were Soxhlet-extracted, and polyphenols were analyzed by HPLC. Carbopol gel with 6% (GF6%) and 12% (GF12%) total extracts was macerated and administered once a day for 10 days to excisional wounds infected with S. aureus (1.5×10^8 CFU/mL). The outcome measures were the percentage of wound contraction, absolute values of hydroxyproline (Hyp), ELISA values of VEGF, TNF-α, and histopathological examination (H&E).

Results:
S. aureus was the most prominent isolate (52.8% overall prevalence, most in accidental and post-surgical wounds). Extracts were rich in polyphenols, and GF12% (among other extracts) was able to achieve complete wound closure by day 10 (100%), while fucidin 2% and infected controls were 34% and GF6% 97%. GF12% greatly lowered levels of VEGF and TNF-a relative to controls and fucidin while markedly elevating Hyp, suggesting increased collagen deposition. Histology after GF12% demonstrated orderly re-epithelialization and collagen deposition akin to normal skin, while fucidin-treated wounds had immature granulation and persistent inflammation.

Conclusion:
The polyherbal gel, especially at 12% concentration, had the most healing effect on wounds infected with S. aureus due to its powerful antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, collagen-restoring, and anti-angiogenic properties, presenting significant potential for topical use in veterinary wound care.

Key words: Cucurbita moschata; Punica granatum; Rosmarinus officinalis; Staphylococcus aureus; Wound healing.