The purpose of this study was to investigate whether smeathxanthone A isolated from Garcinia smeathmanii improves incisional wound healing in diabetic mice. Male albino alloxan-induced diabetic mice (n 20) were divided into five groups: normal control, diabetic control, 2.5 mg/kg glibenclamide given orally, 0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg smeathxanthone A given subcutaneously. Animals were euthanized on postoperative day 10 after wounding; body weight, blood glucose, breaking strength, and histologic examination were reviewed. Smeathxanthone A significantly increased skin tensile strength (24% higher than diabetic control group when given at 0.1 mg/kg), stimulated hair growth, and reduced signs of inflammation in the scar sections. Smeathxanthone A also reduced blood glucose levels in diabetic mice (45% higher than diabetic control group when given at 0.1 mg/kg). The present study demonstrates that administration of smeathxanthone A after laparotomy expedites wound healing in mice. We suggest that it could confer benefits to tissue healing by significantly enhancing tissue collagen deposition and controlling blood glucose levels.
