Therapeutic Potential of Himatanthus drasticus Latex Proteins in Wound Healing: Modulation of Inflammatory and Proliferative Phases

This study explored the wound-repair effects of proteins isolated from the latex of Himatanthus drasticus (HdLP) using a murine excisional wound model. Toxicity tests revealed that HdLP, at concentrations between 12.5 and 100 μg/ml, was safe for fibroblast cells, and dermal irritation assays confirmed it did not provoke adverse skin reactions. Wounds were treated with HdLP at 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0%, or with a vehicle control, and healing was assessed through gross observation, histology, and analysis of inflammatory markers. Treatment with HdLP triggered an early increase in IL-1β during the inflammatory phase, which appeared to support a timely rise in IL-10 during the proliferative phase. Enhanced fibroblast proliferation, deposition of new collagen fibers, and orderly re-epithelialization contributed to faster and more complete wound closure. These findings provide the first evidence that latex-derived proteins from Himatanthus drasticus actively participate in tissue remodeling and wound healing.