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Background: The wound healing process, restoring the functionality of the damaged tissue, can be accelerated by various compounds. The recent experimental analysis highlights the beneficial effects of phytochemicals in improving skin regeneration and wound healing. In traditional medicine, one of the widespread plants used for treating different injuries or skin afflictions is Galium aparine L. (GA). Besides, previously reported chemical compounds of GA suggested its therapeutic effects for the wound healing process, yet its regulatory effects on the cellular and molecular stages of the wound healing process have not been investigated., Methods: In the present study, the phytochemical profile of the GA extract was analyzed using HPTLC fingerprinting, and further scientific evaluation of its phytochemicals was done. The wound-healing effects of GA extract were explored at the cellular and molecular levels while accounting for cell toxicity. The wound closure enhancing effect, antibacterial activity, and antioxidant activity were assessed., Results: The HPTLC fingerprinting of the GA extract proved its previously reported phytochemical profile including phenols, flavonoids, tannins, plant acids, ergot alkaloids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, terpenoids, sterols, salicin, lipophilic compounds, saponins, iridoids, and heterocyclic nitrogen compounds. Antimicrobial assessment, of the extract, indicated the more susceptibility of S. aureus to the inhibitory effects of GA rather than E. coli and S. epidermidis. DPPH test results revealed the antioxidant property of GA extract, which was comparable to ascorbic acid. The results of the viability assay showed no cytotoxicity effects on human umbilical endothelial cell (HUVEC) and normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) cell lines treated with different concentrations of whole plant extract and cell viability increased in a dose-dependent manner. The results of the scratch assay showed improved cell migration and wound closure., Conclusions: This study shows the anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, and in vitro wound healing wound-healing effects of GA hydroalcoholic extract, which aligns with its use in traditional medicine. No cytotoxicity effects were shown. The results from this study can be the basis for further investigations such as animal models and phytochemical studies. Further evaluation of its effects on mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in the wound healing processes such as angiogenesis and cell proliferation can provide novel insights into the potential therapeutic effects of the GA extract., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The management of acute and chronic wounds resulting from diverse injuries poses a significant challenge to clinical practices and healthcare providers. Wound healing is a complex biological process driven by a natural physiological response. This process involves four distinct phases, namely hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Despite numerous investigations on wound healing and wound dressing materials, complications still persist, necessitating more efficacious therapies. Wound-healing materials can be categorized into natural and synthetic groups. The current study aims to provide a comprehensive review of highly active natural animal and herbal agents as wound-healing promoters. To this end, we present an overview of in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies that led to the discovery of potential therapeutic agents for wound healing. We further elucidated the effects of natural materials on various pharmacological pathways of wound healing. The results of previous investigations suggest that natural agents hold great promise as viable and accessible products for the treatment of diverse wound types., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)