ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Quercetin-like compounds (QLCs) derived from Dendrophthoe pentandra growing on Lansium domesticum have potential endothelial-protective and vascular restorative properties, but their therapeutic application may be constrained by limited flavonoid bioavailability. Nanoparticle formulation may improve their delivery and biological activity. This study evaluated the effects of intramuscular nanoparticle-formulated QLCs on clinical and structural recovery following experimentally modified ischemic-limb compression in rabbits and estimated their pharmacokinetic withdrawal period.

Materials and Methods: Twenty adult male rabbits were allocated to four groups (n = 5/group). Macro-level tissue compression was induced by external circumferential stainless-steel ligation of the right trochanteric region for 2 weeks. Following ligature removal, the positive control group (Group A) received dexamethasone (2 mg/kg body weight), the negative control group (Group B) received sterile water, and two groups received nanoparticle-formulated QLCs (50 mg/kg body weight) intramuscularly twice daily for 5 days. One QLC-treated group (Group C) was dedicated to pharmacokinetic profiling and withdrawal time estimation using high-performance liquid chromatography, whereas the second QLC-treated group (Group D) was evaluated for post-treatment clinical recovery (lameness, swelling, and nerve reflexes) and vascular histopathology. Group comparisons were performed using the Kruskal–Wallis test (p < 0.05).

Results: Nanoparticle-formulated QLCs promoted greater clinical recovery at 5 days post-treatment compared with dexamethasone and sterile water. QLC-treated rabbits exhibited reduced lameness and swelling alongside greater histopathological vessel-lumen patency (p < 0.05). Histopathological observations confirmed better preservation of endothelial architecture and reduced structural luminal collapse in QLC-treated tissues compared to control groups; however, functional restoration of blood flow was not directly quantified. Pharmacokinetic analysis supported an estimated withdrawal interval of approximately 9–10 days. The observed vascular effects were consistent with the proposed endothelial-protective and vasodilatory actions of the QLC formulation.

Conclusion: Intramuscular nanoparticle-formulated QLCs from D. pentandra promoted functional and structural microvascular recovery following experimentally induced venous constriction in rabbits and performed favorably relative to dexamethasone in the measured outcomes. The estimated 9–10-day withdrawal interval provides preliminary information relevant to residue management. These findings support further investigation of nanoparticle-formulated QLCs as a plant-derived candidate for veterinary vascular repair; however, larger studies incorporating quantitative vascular perfusion measurements and comprehensive safety assessments are required before clinical application.

Keywords: Dendrophthoe pentandra, endothelial protection, Health and Well-Being, nanoparticle formulation, quercetin-like compounds, rabbit model, vascular recovery, venous constriction, withdrawal period.