1. Introduction
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disease that causes complex metabolic disorder associated with insulin resistance, impaired insulin signaling, β-cell dysfunction, abnormal glucose levels and changes in lipid metabolism [
1]. The condition of high blood-glucose level (hyperglycemia) is caused by impaired of insulin production or secretion, insulin resistance. Hyperglycemia causes an increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels which is not counterbalanced by an adequate supply of antioxidants. This imbalance can cause oxidative stress which is the source of the development of diabetes mellitus complications because it triggers the development of insulin resistance [
2]. Complication of diabetes mellitus causes chronic wound healing disorders such as inflammation, tissue formation granulation, re-epithelization and tissue renovation [
3].
All these complications often result in open wounds with long-term healing problems that frequently cause the need of amputation. Epidemiological data report that 2.8% of the world’s population suffered from diabetes in 2000, and the trend is expected to increase up to 4.4% by 2030 and also the percentage of amputation in diabetic wounds is expected to increase to about 50–70% [
4]. The excessive generation of ROS in diabetic conditions is caused by acute serum glucose and the accumulation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). Endogenous or externally supplied antioxidants (due to inadequate supply of antioxidants) can lower ROS levels through the reduction of cellular molecular oxidation. Antioxidants obtained can neutralize the oxidative stress to improve wound healing in diabetes [
5].
Wound-healing processes in diabetic mice have been usually treated performed in general through the administration of topical medications, topical or systemic antibiotics and vascular reconstruction. However, open wound healing has a weakness due to the use of chemical substances that cause long-term side effects in diabetics [
6,
7].
Alginate is a natural polysaccharide produced from
Sargassum sp. (among others) containing α-L-guluronic acid (G) and β-D-mannuronic acid (M) residues [
8]. Alginate—in form of hydrogels, foams, films, nanofibers, topical formulations or wafers—has been widely used as bioactive dressing for wound healing [
9]. As other biocompatible materials, alginate can be loaded natural compound or drugs for improved wound-healing process like simvastatin [
10], honey [
11],
Aloe vera [
12], curcumin [
13]. Alginate can maintain a moist condition in the wound area and acts as antibacterial and antioxidant agent, absorb wound exudate as a hemostatic agent [
14,
15,
16]. Moreover, alginate with composition of guluronic acid residue (G) higher than Mannuronic acid residue (M) produce a more rigid structure, thereby increasing the availability of alginate ions to make it easier to absorb exudate and proton donor in the free radical scavenging process (antioxidant), so it is easy to wound healing. Molecular weight of polysaccharides affects the ability of radical scavenging. Reduction in molecular weight below 12 kDa can affect the conformational chain or guluronic acid content which has an impact on the availability of alginate ions in radical scavenging [
17].
Abelmoschus esculentus L. is known as okra plant that contains many flavonoids that play a major role acting as antioxidant agents against ROS to inhibit free radicals [
18]. Hence, the okra fruit may be used as an alternative medicine for the reduction of blood glucose and cholesterol levels as antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic properties [
19,
20]. In addition, okra fruit extract can accelerate wound healing through the induction of the production of cytokine and growth factor productions [
21].
In this study, we report the characterization of alginate from Sargassum duplicatum (J. Agardh) to evaluate its characteristic on the wound-healing process. The novelty of this study lies in investigating antioxidant effect of alginate from S. duplicatum and okra fruit extracts combination for wound-healing process in diabetic mice. The activities of wound-healing process were performed by using an alginate–okra extracts ointment on wound performing periodically by histopathology tests on diabetic mice skin tissues.
4. Discussion
The extraction yield of alginate from
S. duplicatum was higher in comparison with the other seaweed such as
Cystoseira barbata,
Dictyota caribaea and
Padina perindusiata of 9.9, 7.4 and 5.4%, respectively [
39,
40]. However, the extraction yield was lower than alginate from
C. implexa and
L. variegate of 29.15 and 27.57% [
41],
S. angustifolium and
Sargassum sp. of 40.78 and 44.32%, respectively [
42,
43]. In general, the content of alginate in various types of brown seaweed varies widely are depending on species and the method for extraction used [
44]. The extraction yield and the color of alginate from
S. duplicatum in this study like to the previous published literature which have pale yellow color and 12% yield [
40].
Based on result of characterization of alginate
S. duplicatum, polymer of alginate
S. duplicatum is homogeneous because it has polydispersity index is less than two [
45]. M
w and M
n of alginate of
S. duplicatum were lower in comparison to M
w and M
n of
S. turbinarioides (5.528 × 10
5 and 3.852 × 10
5 g/mol) and
S. vulgare (1.10 × 10
5 and 1.94 × 10
5 g/mol) [
46,
47]. Alginate of
S. duplicatum has residue of guluronate higher than mannuronate (M/G ratio = 0.91) and also it has η value as 0.68 (less than 1). Hence, it indicated that alginate extracted from
S. duplicatum is a homopolymer block containing polyguluronate type structure [
47]. The M/G ratio of alginate
S. duplicatum is higher than
S. fluitans (0.15–0.69), but lower than
S. siliquosum (0.70–0.94) [
48]. Some other
Sargassum species have M/G ratio about 0.8–1.4 [
25].
Quantitatively, okra fruit extracts has a total flavonoid and quercetin content higher from green okra extract of 27.0 mg/100 g and 20.03 mg (QE)/100 g [
49,
50]. The green okra fruits contain of flavonoid such as a quercetin derivative. The primary flavonoids of okra fruits are up to 70% of the total antioxidant compounds [
51]. Total phenolic or total flavonoids in okra extracts play an important role in the ability of antioxidant activity in varying percentages [
14]. Antioxidant activity could be classified based on the IC
50 values, if the values less than 50 μg/mL is very strong/highly active, 51–100 μg/mL is strong/active, 101–250 μg/mL is moderate, 251–500 μg/mL is weak and more than 500 μg/mL is inactive antioxidants [
38]. Okra and AOEs have strong inhibition 65.87 and 79.34, respectively in comparison with alginate of 125.31 at the same concentration. Sodium alginate from Cystoseira barbata inhibited of 174 radical scavenging activity of DPPH [
12]. It showed that the antioxidant activity of alginates from different species has quite different activities, because antioxidant activity of plant extracts is associated with flavonoid or phenolic compounds in the extract and it depends on the arrangement of structural functional groups of the extracts. In addition, the existence of hydroxyl group, monosaccharide composition, molecular hydrogen bonds, and molecular weight affects the activity of antioxidants [
52]. Some structural features of polysaccharides such as molecular weight, monosaccharide composition (block G and M), availability of hydroxyl groups, and molecular hydrogen bonds have an effect on scavenging activity. Alginate that contain block G higher than block M have an increase in antioxidant activity due to diaxial linkage in block G. It causes the obstructed rotation around the glycosidic linkage, so that it can reduce the flexibility of block G. it affects the availability of the hydroxyl group and increased proton donor capability for the free radical scavenger process in alginate molecule [
47]. The addition of okra fruit extract from extracts combination on antioxidant activity showed the flavonoid content in okra fruit extract plays an important role in free radical scavenging. The reduction activity of phenolic hydroxyl groups causes flavonoids to contribute hydrogen atoms so that delocalization of phenoxy radical products occurs to protect tissue damage from ROS [
53]. In this research, the addition of alginate to the extract combination reduced the IC
50 value compared to okra fruit extracts. However, alginate can stabilize flavonoids in okra fruit extracts because G and M block residues tend to form diaxial links with intramolecular or extramolecular hydrogen bonds in more stable flavonoid compounds [
54].
The administration of lard increase hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance that leads to Type 2 diabetes mellitus which was marked by obesity [
30]. Onset of obesity due to the accumulation of excess fat can lead to chronic diseases and complications such as diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease [
55]. STZ administration is expected to increase the condition of hyperglycemia (increase blood-glucose levels) and created diabetic-like syndrom [
29]. The destruction of the pancreatic cells were carried out by free radical of STZ which was toxic to the insulin sensitive tissues, so that the secretion of insulin hormone was decrease [
56]. Topical treatment using ointment was expected to lowering blood-glucose levels that lead to the wound healing on diabetic mice. Removal of the stratum corneum layer in the skin layer during wound formation increase skin permeability thereby allowing the release of active compounds from topical formulations in the skin layer to enter the systemic circulation. In addition, active compounds pass penetration through the transappendageal route (sweat glands, hair follicles and sebaceous glands which include open channels on the outside surface of the skin) [
57,
58]. Tan et al. [
59] revealed that the topical application of Vicenin-2 film which is a type of flavonoid-derived glycosides from various natural plants can reduce blood-glucose levels in diabetic mice. Hence, that, lowering blood-glucose levels on diabetic mice can be influenced by topical treatment of open wounds. The combination of extracts could reduce the condition of diabetes which is demonstrated in
Table 2. The value observed of DAO group at day 14 was almost the same of the control group (115.0 ± 19.1). it is indicating the potentiality of okra fruit extract in reducing blood-glucose level on diabetic mice. Antioxidant properties can neutralize free radical damage so that blood-glucose levels decreases. Okra fruit extract can control blood-glucose levels, as an effective treatment for diabetic ulcers [
60].
No significant differences between DAO group (2693.0 ± 12.2; 917.0 ± 91.3; 0 ± 0 µm) and normal group (NC) (2548.0 ± 187.2; 894.0 ± 87.6; 0 ± 0 µm) on Days 3, 7 and 14 (
Table 3). This indicates that the topical administration of alginate and okra fruit extracts combination can increase re-epithelization of the wound area in comparison to the control group. Diabetic group (DC) showed that still has wound width on Day 14 (424.0 ± 5.2 µm). Otherwise, NC, DA and DAO groups showed no wound width on Day 14 (0 ± 0 µm) and it indicated a complete wound closure.
The number of neutrophils increased on Day 3 and decreased up to Day 14 for all groups, due to migration of neutrophil achieved a maximum between Day 1 and 2. The plateaued level on Day 3 and decreases on Day 5 [
61]. Neutrophil secretions in diabetic conditions tend to be high compared to the normal conditions due to high ROS/RNS levels, resulting in increased inflammation and tissue damage [
62]. This is evidence by the higher number of neutrophils on Day 3 up to Day 14 in the diabetic control group (133.0 ± 8.2; 65.0 ± 7.5; 42.0 ± 4.7 cells/mm
2) compared to normal control group (58.0 ± 5.4; 32.0 ± 0.9; 15.0 ± 4.5 cells/mm
2) (
Table 4).
Number of macrophages increase up to Day 7 and decreased on Day 14 for all groups, because on the Day 7 the wound condition undergoes inflammatory and proliferation processes. For example in the DAO group on Day 3 up to Day 7 number of macrophages increased (15.0 ± 0.2; 21.0 ± 1.4 cells/mm
2) and decreased on Day 14 (6.0 ± 0.5 cells/mm
2) (
Table 5). Neutrophils were secreting cytokines and granule proteins, which modulating monocyte or macrophage extravasation, phagocytosis and ROS production. In diabetics, the condition of hyperglycemia increases the activity of macrophages, thereby increasing the levels of ROS/RNS which causes a prolonged inflammatory phase [
63] In addition, hyperglycemia and oxidative stress conditions can lead to polarization and modulating macrophage dysregulation, because change epigenic code which is inhibit the wound-healing process [
64]. This is evidence by the higher number of macrophages on Day 3 up to Day 14 in the diabetic control group (38.0 ± 1.4; 47.0 ± 0.7; 30.0 ± 0.9 cells/mm
2) compared to normal control group (15.0 ± 1.4; 21.0 ± 1.9; 6.0 ± 0.2 cells/mm
2).
The number of fibrocytes and fibroblasts increased on Day 7 and decreased on Day 14 for all groups, because the wound conditions have peak proliferation phases for re-epithelization and angiogenesis processes [
65]. For example in the DAO group on Day 3 up to Day 7 number of fibrocyte increased (19.0 ± 1.9; 25.0 ± 1.9 cells/mm
2) and decreased on Day 14 (17.0 ± 1.4 cells/mm
2) (
Table 6). The same thing happened to the number of fibroblasts in the DAO group on Day 3 up to Day 7 increased (20.0 ± 0.7; 38.0 ± 3.3 cells/mm
2) and decreased on Day 14 (23.0 ± 0.7 cells/mm
2) (
Table 7). Macrophages perform cytokine and growth factor secretions in the wound area to induce fibroblast migration and proliferation, production of granulation tissues, transient extracellular matrix and angiogenesis in the healing process. Conditions of high blood-glucose levels lead to migration and fibrocyte proliferation disorders, fibroblasts and keratinocytes, resulting in decreased secretion of cytokine, growth factor and extracellular matrix [
63]. This is evidence by the lower number of fibrocytes on Day 3 up to Day 14 in the diabetic control group (10.0 ± 1.9; 11.0 ± 2.8; 10.0 ± 0.7 cells/mm
2) compared to normal control group (21.0 ± 0.9; 27.0 ± 2.3; 20.0 ± 0.2 cells/mm
2). The same thing happened to the number of fibroblasts on Day 3 up to Day 14 in the diabetic control group (11.0 ±2.6; 20.0 ± 0.9; 14.0 ± 1.2 cells/mm
2) compared to normal control group (22.0 ± 1.6; 41.0 ± 2.4; 26.0 ± 1.4 cells/mm
2).
Fibroblast proliferation induces collagen synthesis and macromolecular matrix for structural formation of connective tissues. Diabetes conditions increase the activity of macrophages thereby increasing the production of ROS/RNS and lowering collagen synthesis [
66]. This is evidence by the lower collagen densities on Day 3 up to Day 14 in the diabetic control group (30.0 ± 0.6; 35.0 ± 0.1; 50.0 ± 4.9%) compared to normal control group (56.0 ± 4.3; 81.0 ± 6.4; 86.0 ± 1.9%) (
Table 8).
The topical administration of alginate can reduce the wounds width and increase cytokines and growth factor. This is because alginate has a hydroxyl group that plays a role in the properties of hydrophilicity, so that alginate can absorb moderate or heavy exudate liquid to reach 15 to 20 times in dry or gel form, so it is called a hemostatic agent [
67]. Absorption of exudate on the wound area was occur due to the exchange of ions between exudate and alginate that keeps the moist condition of the wound physiologically and minimizing bacterial infections. In addition, it allows enough oxygen exchange to accelerate the formation of tissue granulation and re-epithelization [
68]. The proportion of M/G residue affects alginate’s ability as absorber. Higher G content is not firmly tied to molecules so it will increase the process of ion exchange between alginate and exudate wounds [
69]. Based on literature, the wound healing activity of alginate topically on diabetic open wounds form complete epithelization on Day 14 [
70].
The topical administration of okra fruit extract can reduce blood-glucose levels and improve wound-healing process, because it has strong antioxidant properties due to the role of the 3-hydroxyl group on the C ring of the flavonoids compounds to capture free radicals due to glucose oxidation (hyperglycemia). Decreasing ROS/RNS can reduce hyperglycemia and increase glucose metabolism, thereby lowering oxidative stress and insulin resistance which increase wound healing [
71]. The ointment formula contains flavonoids could be released into wounds and then to the bloodstream so as to induce secretion of cytokine, growth factor and increase insulin production or insulin sensitivity of somatic cells. Flavonoids also cause re-formation of antioxidants and serum lipid profiles in diabetic rats [
59]. The wound healing activity of the okra fruit extract topically on open wounds effectively forms the complete epithelization on 15 day [
72] and achieves a complete epithelization on 16 day [
73].