Costus Afer Stem Juice Extract Enhances Wound Healing Process Through the Modulation of the Expression of TGF-Β1 at Wound Site

Recent studies have explored the potential of Costus afer stem juice in supporting the process of tissue repair and regeneration. This study sought to expand on those discoveries by assessing the expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) in wounds treated with C. afer stem juice extracts. Ninety-six adult Wistar rats, divided into four groups, were used to study the wound healing process over 24, 72 and 120 hours, as well as at complete healing. The rats were wounded on their dorsum and treated on the first day according to their group: Group A received no treatment, Group B was treated with honey gel, Group C with heat-dried C. afer stem juice extract and Group D with freeze-dried C. afer stem juice extract. The result of the study showed that the expression of TGF-β1 was initially highest in group D which gradually declined to the lowest at 120 hours and peaked again in the healed tissues. Group C wounds showed the lowest level of expression of TGF-β1 at 24 hours, which increased at 72 hours and gradually fell to be at the same level as group B and group A wounds in the healed tissues. The deposition of granulation tissues and extracellular matrix fibres in group D followed the same pattern as expression of TGF-β1. In conclusion, the extract of C. afer stem juice enhanced the healing process through the modulation of TGF-β1 expression.