The oil from Moringa oleifera seeds accelerates chronic skin wound healing

Abstract Background Ben oil is extracted from the seeds of the medicinal tree Moringa oleifera. Though it is popularly used for skin purposes, its pharmacological wound healing potential has never been investigated. Since the oil is rich in oleic acid (OA), it was used to compare and explain the effects. Purpose The study evaluated Moringa oleifera seeds oil (MOSO) and OA effect on physiological and chronic skin wound healing. Methods Healthy, diabetic and immunosuppressed Swiss mice were used in a skin excision model. Each wound was measured once a day, photographed and submitted to topical application of MOSO, OA, mineral oil (vehicle for OA) or Dersani© (positive control) until wound repair. Healing rate, histology and measurement of tissue collagen were processed. Results When applied on wounds of healthy mice, MOSO and OA caused a faster repair. Immunosuppression and diabetes condition prolonged wound repair when compared to healthy mice. Treatment with MOSO and OA shortened the healing time in chronic wounds. None of the treatments altered skin cellularity in the inflammatory phase of wound healing. In the proliferative phase, collagen content was improved by MOSO and OA in diabetic wound and OA also increased collagen in healthy wounds. Myofibroblast amount was restored by both treatments in immunosuppressed and diabetic wound healing. Conclusion MOSO may facilitate acute physiological and chronic wounds, accelerating the healing process, acting on collagen content and myofibroblast amount. Besides, OA might be at least partially responsible for this effect. Further investigations are needed to clear the mechanisms involved with these effects.