Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized from Ficus deltoidea for Wound Closure and Skin Regeneration

Ficus deltoidea (F. deltoidea), a medicinal plant known for its antioxidant and regenerative properties, has shown therapeutic potential in wound care. However, the potential of silver nanoparticles synthesized from F. deltoidea (Fd-AgNPs) for enhancing wound healing remains underexplored. This study evaluated topical ointments containing green-synthesized Fd-AgNPs at 10%, 20%, and 30% concentrations. The Fd-AgNPs were produced from F. deltoidea ethanolic leaf extract and characterized via UV‒Vis spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Mice with full-thickness skin wounds received daily ointment treatments for 15 days. Wound healing progression was assessed through closure rates, histology, and biochemical markers, including protein content, hydroxyproline levels, total DNA, and fibroblast count. Among the treatments, 10% Fd-AgNP (T4) ointment resulted in complete wound closure by day 12 but yielded the lowest number of fibroblasts (1.58 ± 0.00) and substantial hydroxyproline content (3146.50 ± 79.54 µg/mL). Moreover, T5 (20%) presented higher protein (961.81 ± 90.67 µg/mL) and DNA levels (4.10 ± 0.15 µg/mL) than the other groups did, whereas T6 (30%) presented intermediate values for most markers (protein and DNA) between T4 and T5. Histological analysis confirmed improved tissue regeneration in mice treated with any concentration of Fd-AgNP topical ointment. These findings confirmed that Fd-AgNPs topical ointment enhances wound regeneration by promoting fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis. The study concluded that 20% Fd-AgNP ointment may offer an optimal equilibrium between healing velocity and quality, rendering it the most promising formulation for attaining both rapid and structurally robust wound healing.