Sun-macerated Hypericum perforatum oleates in fixed oils: analytical characterization and comparative wound-healing activity

Background/aim: Hypericum perforatum L. oleates prepared in fixed oils have long been used for wound management due to their anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and tissue-regenerative properties. The bioactivity of these oleates is mainly attributed to hypericin, hyperforin, and pseudohypericin. This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the wound-healing potential of H. perforatum oleates prepared in different fixed oils, including Olea europaea L. (olive), Sesamum indicum L. (sesame), Helianthus annuus L. (sunflower), and Nigella sativa L. (black seed).Materials and methodsFixed oils were characterized by GC–MS, while oleuropein in olive oil and thymoquinone in black seed oil were quantified by HPLC, and sesamin and sesamol in sesame oil by spectrophotometry. Oleates were prepared using the traditional sun maceration method. Hypericin, hyperforin, and pseudohypericin were quantified by LC–MS and UV spectrophotometry. In vitro and in vivo assays were performed to assess wound-healing activities of both fixed oils and their respective oleates.ResultsAll oleates exhibited significantly greater wound-healing activity compared to the corresponding fixed oils. The most pronounced synergistic effects were observed with olive oil and sesame oil oleates.ConclusionMaceration of H. perforatum in fixed oils enhances the intrinsic therapeutic properties of the oils and improves multiple wound-healing parameters. These findings support the traditional use of H. perforatum oleates and provide a scientific basis for their further pharmacological development.