Phytochemical characterization and wound healing potential of <i>Salvia veneris</i> Hedge extract-based ointment

<i>Salvia veneris</i> Hedge (Krythean sage), an endemic species of Cyprus, was investigated for its phenolic compounds and wound healing through the development of an ointment. Phenolic constituents of <i>S. veneris</i> ethanol extract (SVEE) were characterised by LC-MS/MS, and total phenolic content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Twenty-two phenolic compounds were identified, with caffeic acid as the major compound and a total phenolic content of 144.6 mg GAE/g. SVEE enhanced fibroblast proliferation in the MTT assay (IC₅₀ = 56.01 ± 1.34 μg/mL) while exhibiting low cytotoxicity. <i>In vivo</i> evaluation of SVEE-based ointment using an excision wound model demonstrated significant, dose-dependent healing activity, with increased re-epithelialization and accelerated wound contraction (91.17 ± 1.84% by day 15) compared with control groups. These findings indicate that the rich phenolic composition of <i>S. veneris</i> contributes to its potent wound-healing activity, supporting the potential of SVEE-based formulations as promising natural therapeutics for wound healing.