Ascorbate formulation promotes wound healing in goat model: Insights into molecular dynamics through cytokine modulation and angiogenic marker expression.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The pursuit of scar-free wound healing is a major focus of biomedical research, with a pressing need for safe, accessible, and cost-effective therapeutic interventions. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the pre-clinical wound healing potential of a topical ascorbate-formulation using a full-thickness excision wound goat model. METHODS: A topical formulation was prepared, characterized for rheological properties, and assessed for long-term stability under accelerated conditions. Eighteen goats were randomly and equally assigned to three groups: sham-operated (untreated), nitrofurazone-treated (reference standard), and ascorbate formulation-treated. The excision wounds were treated once daily for 28 days. Wound healing was assessed through planimetric, hematological, biochemical, molecular, and histological analyses. RESULTS: The ascorbate formulation is semisolid in nature and exhibited mechanical stability for up to 10 months under accelerated conditions. Treatment significantly accelerated wound contraction and shortened the epithelization period (p&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.05). Biochemical analysis revealed increased hydroxyproline and collagen content, along with reduced lipid peroxidation, in the formulation group (p&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.05). Altered hematological parameters (Hb, PCV, neutrophil count) were significantly restored with treatment. At the molecular level, the formulation downregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-&#x3b1;, IL-1&#x3b2;) while enhancing the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (p&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.05). Histological assessment demonstrated restoration of normal skin architecture and significant upregulation of VEGF expression. Clinical trials in cattle further confirmed the strong wound healing efficacy of the formulation. CONCLUSION: The ascorbate-based topical formulation demonstrated significant wound healing efficacy through collagen regeneration, antioxidative effects, modulation of inflammatory response, and promotion of angiogenesis. These findings support its potential as a cost-effective and clinically translatable therapy for improved wound management.