Wound healing Potential of Fucoidan Extracted Microwavically from Sargassum wightii Possibly Mediated by Collagen-1 Expression in Vero Cell Line

Background: Fucoidan, a natural macromolecule extracted from Sargassum wightii, has shown promise in various therapeutic areas, including anti-tumor, antioxidant, antithrombotic, and wound healing applications. This study explores the wound healing potential of fucoidan derived from Sargassum wightii collected from the Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu, India. Aims and Objectives: This research aims to assess the effectiveness of fucoidan extracted via microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) in promoting wound healing in Vero cells, a line of African green monkey kidney cells. The study also investigates the impact of fucoidan on collagen-1 expression, a critical protein involved in the wound healing process. Materials and Methods: Fucoidan was extracted using MAE, and its cytotoxicity was evaluated using the Sulforhodamine B (SRB) Assay. The wound healing efficacy was tested through a scratch assay, measuring the closure of wounds over 24 and 48 hours. Results: The SRB Assay demonstrated that fucoidan did not exhibit cytotoxicity to Vero cells, with an IC50 value of 61.30 µM. The scratch assay revealed wound closure of 46.15% at 24 hours and 76.9% at 48 hours, compared to 50% and 81.25% in the control group. Fucoidan treatment significantly increased collagen-1 expression, with 77.92% of cells showing elevated levels of this crucial protein. Conclusions: This study confirms the in-vitro wound healing capabilities of fucoidan extracted from Sargassum wightii. These findings support the potential of fucoidan as a natural agent for wound healing and restoration.