Evaluation of effect of oleuropein on skin wound healing in aged male balb/c mice

Olive oil and olive leaf extract are used for treatment of skin diseases and wounds in Iran. The main component of olive leaf extract is Oleuropein. This research is focused on the effects of Oleuropein on skin wound healing in aged male Balb/c mice. In this experimental study, Oleuropein was provided by Razi Herbal Medicine Institute, Lorestan, Iran. Twenty four male Balb/c mice, 16 months of age, were divided equally into control and experimental groups. Under ether anesthesia, the hairs on the back of neck of all groups were shaved and a 1 cm long full-thickness incision was made. The incision was then left un-sutured. The experimental group received intradermal injections with a daily single dose of 50 mg/kg Oleuropein for a total period of 7 days. The control group received only distilled water. On days 3 and 7 after making the incision and injections, mice were sacrificed, and the skin around incision area was dissected and stained by hematoxylin and eosin [H and E] and Van Gieson's methods for tissue analysis. In addition, western blot analysis was carried out to evaluate the level of vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] protein expression. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS [SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA]. The t test was applied to assess the significance of changes between control and experimental groups. Oleuropein not only reduced cell infiltration in the wound site on days 3 and 7 post incision, but also a significant increase in collagen fiber deposition and more advanced re- epithelialization were observed [p<0.05] in the experimental group as compared to the control group. The difference of hair follicles was not significant between the two groups at the same period of time. Furthermore, western blot analysis showed an increased in VEGF protein level from samples collected on days 3 and 7 post-incision of experimental group as compared to the control group [p<0.05]. These results suggest that Oleuropein accelerates skin wound healing in aged male Balb/c mice. These findings can be useful for clinical application of Oleuropein in expediting wound healing after surgery

role of biodegradable engineered nanofiber scaffolds seeded with hair follicle stem cells for tissue engineering

The aim of this study was to fabricate the poly caprolactone [PCL] aligned nanofiber scaffold and to evaluate the survival, adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of rat hair follicle stem cells [HFSC] in the graft material using electrospun PCL nanofiber scaffold for tissue engineering applications. The bulge region of rat whisker was isolated and cultured in DMEM: nutrient mixture F-12 supplemented with epidermal growth factor. The morphological and biological features of cultured bulge cells were observed by light microscopy using immunocytochemistry methods. Electrospinning was used for production of PCL nanofiber scaffolds. Scanning electron microscopy [SEM], 3-[4, 5-di-methylthiazol- 2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide [MTT] assay, and histology analysis were used to investigate the cell morphology, viability, attachment and infiltration of the HFSC on the PCL nanofiber scaffolds. The results of the MTT assay showed cell viability and cell proliferation of the HFSC on PCL nanofiber scaffolds. SEM microscopy images indicated that HFSC are attached, proliferated and spread on PCL nanofiber scaffolds. Also, immunocytochemical analysis showed cell infiltration and cell differentiation on the scaffolds. The results of this study reveal that PCL nanofiber scaffolds are suitable for cell culture, proliferation, differentiation and attachment. Furthermore, HFSC are attached and proliferated on PCL nanofiber scaffolds