A bio-guided identification of the active compounds that contribute to the wound healing potential of Pistacia palaestina Boiss. leaf extract using HPLC-MS. A preliminary study

Introduction: Pistacia palaestina Boiss. leaves are rich in bioactive compounds with potential wound healing properties. Objective: The current study evaluated the wound healing properties of 70% methanol extract of Pistacia palaestina Boiss. leaves, as well as its hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and aqueous fractions derived from the crude extract. Methods: The investigation of wound healing activity was conducted using the dermal incision model in rats. Evaluation of acute dermal irritation/corrosion was conducted following the guidelines outlined in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) no. 404.Qualitative phytochemical screening and HPLC-MS analysis were performed to identify the components responsible for the wound healing effect.Results: A significant epithelialization period (p <0.05) was completed by topical application of the methanolic extract ointment (5%) with (8.8 0.837) days while the control group more than 15 days. The highest effectiveness was obtained with 5% ethyl acetate fraction ointment similar to the crude extract (9.0 0.707) days. No skin irritation effect was observed for the extract, indicating its safety. Phenols, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, and saponins were detected in the crude extract, whereas no alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, coumarins or anthraquinones were found. Flavonoids and tannins were found in the ethyl acetate fraction. HPLC-MS analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction indicated the presence of 10 compounds which have been (Digalloylquinic Acid, Epicatechin, 3,4,5-Tri-O-galloylquinic acid, Epigallocatechin gallate, Myricetin rhamnoside, Quercetin glucuronide, Myricetin galloyl glucuronide, Quercetin 3-rhamnoside, Myricetin galloyl rhamnoside, Myricetin digalloyl rhamnoside).Conclusion: The findings have confirmed the potential of P. palaestina as a wound healing remedy, providing scientific support for its traditional use in folk medicine.