Topical administration of hydroethanolic extract of Trifolium pratense (red clover) accelerates wound healing by apoptosis and re-epithelialization.

We investigated the wound healing effects of an ointment prepared from a hydroethanolic extract of Trifolium pratense (red clover) in Wistar rats. An animal model was prepared by making 314 mm2 full thickness skin excisions in all animals. Rats were divided into four experimental groups. Group 1 was a non-intervention control. Groups 2, 3 and 4 were treated topically with ointments containing 1.5, 3.0 and 6% (w/v) T. pretense extract, respectively. We evaluated the effects of these ointments by histological analysis of collagen production, epidermis thickness, fibroblast distribution and wound contraction ratio, and also by estimating expression of Bax, Bcl-2 and p53. Collagen production, epidermis thickness, fibroblast distribution and wound contraction ratio were significantly increased in groups 2 - 4 compared to group 1. Groups 2 - 4 also exhibited significantly increased levels of Bcl-2 mRNA and reduced mRNA levels of Bax and p53 compared to group 1. Groups 2 - 4 exhibited accelerated healing by up-regulating Bcl-2 expression, reducing p53 and Bax levels, and by promoting the proliferative phase of healing. We suggest that a hydroethanolic extract of T. pratense in commercial ointments may be useful for promoting wound healing.

Histopathological evaluation of potential impact of ß-tricalcium phosphate (HA+ ß-TCP) granules on healing of segmental femur bone defect.

Histopathological evaluation of ß-tricalcium phosphate (HA+ ß-TCP) granules demonstrated that it has properties to heal segmental femur bone defect in rat. In this study, 27 male white rats were examined. Rats were divided into tree groups. Surgical procedures were done after IP administration of ketamine 5 % and xylazine HCL 2 %. Then an approximately 5-mm long, 3-mm deep and 2-mm wide bone defect was created in the femur of one of the hind limbs using a No. 0.14 round bur. After inducing the surgical wound, all rats were colored and randomly divided into three experimental groups of nine animals each: Group 1 received medical pure ß-tricalcium phosphate granules, group 2 received hydroxyapatite and third group was a control group with no treatment. Histopathological evaluation was performed on days 15, 30 and 45 after surgery. On day 45 after surgery, the quantity of newly formed lamellar bone in the healing site in ß-TCP group was better than onward compared to HA and control groups. In conclusion, ß-tri calcium phosphate (ß-TCP) granules exhibited a reproducible bone-healing potential (Fig. 10, Ref. 28).

Radiological evaluation of the effect of biphasic calcium phosphate scaffold (HA+TCP) with 5, 10 and 20 percentage of porosity on healing of segmental bone defect in rabbit radius.

The objective of this study is to radiologically evaluate the effects of biphasic calcium phosphate scaffold with 5, 10 and 20 percentage of porosity on cortical bone repair in rabbits. In this study, 28 male white rabbits were examined. Rabbits were divided into four groups. After induction of general anesthesia, a segmental bone defect of 10 mm in length was created in the middle of the right radius shaft. In group A, the defect was stabilized with miniplate and 2 screws and left untreated. In groups B, C and D tricalcium phosphate scaffold mixed with hydroxyapatite (TCP+HA) with 5%, 10% and 20% porosity was used to fi ll the bone defect. Bone regeneration and HA+TCP scaffold resorption were assessed by X-ray at 1, 2 and 3 months after the surgery. In group A, 3 months after surgery, periosteal callus was not found but intercortical callus was observed. In groups B and C, 3 months after surgery medullary bridging callus and intercortical callus were found, periosteal callus was not found, TCP+HA scaffold were observed. In group D, 2 months after the surgery, medullary bridging callus and intercortical callus were found, 3 months later, periosteal callus was not found, most of scaffold had disappeared and were unclear and partial bone formation was recognized. Differences observed in radiological findings were significant between group A and groups B, C, D. Differences between groups B and C were not significant, but between group D and groups B and C were significant. The results of this study showed that TCP+HA scaffold is an osteoconductive and osteoinductive biomaterial. Scaffold of TCP+HA can increase the amount of newly formed bone and more rapid regeneration of bone defects. These results suggest TCP+HA scaffold may considerably be used in the treatment of cortical bone defect and other orthopaedic defects PCL (Tab. 2, Fig. 4, Ref. 20).