Protective Effect of Casticin on Experimental Skin Wound Healing of Rats.

INTRODUCTION: The wound is known as damage to the skin structure by external stimuli, such as cut, bruises, and burn, which typically leaves the internal tissue exposed. The wound repair process when hampered leads to an excessive burden on the healthcare setting. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop effective agents that can promote the wound healing process. In the present study, we intended to investigate the pharmacological benefit of Casticin (CST), a polymethylflavone against wound. METHODS: The wound in Wistar rats was induced by a surgical procedure. After surgery, the wound was examined for wound size over a period and for the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and induced collagen III expressions. The effect of CST was examined on tumor necrosis factor α, interferon gamma, interleukin (IL)-10, transforming growth factor beta, and IL-7 by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 and its natural inhibitor (tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases, TIMP1), level of macrophages, and lymphocytes were also quantified. The effect of CST was determined also on apoptosis of rats' splenocytes. RESULTS: CST significantly enhances wound healing of rat postsurgery, with maximum activity achieved in the case of a 60 µM treated group. The expression of cyclooxygenase-2 was found reduced together with an increase in collagen III, tumor necrosis factor α, interferon gamma, IL-10, transforming growth factor beta, and IL-7 in the CST group. The levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were also found reduced together with an increase in TIMP1 level in CST-treated group. The levels of CD4+, CD8+, and CD11b+ cells at the wound site 24 and 120 h postsurgery was also found reduced in CST-treated group. However, it showed no apoptosis in murine splenocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, CST can promote the wound healing process by modulation of inflammation and immune response, which induces tissue remodeling.

Stereological and molecular studies on the effects of Ferula persica extract on wound healing in rats.

BACKGROUND: Ferula persica is one of the most important traditional medicinal plants that is used to treat various diseases such as diabetes, backache and rheumatism. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and wound healing potential of F. persica using stereological and molecular methods in experimental models. METHODS: In the present study, two wound models (circular excision and linear incision) were used. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 16), including control, vehicle treated, treated with F. persica extract ointment (5% w/w) and treated with the reference drug (Madecassol). All the animals were treated topically once a day. The circular and linear wounds were treated for 9 and 17 days, respectively. At the end of the study, samples from wounds area were harvested for histology, stereology, immunohistochemistry and molecular assessments to determine the in vivo healing potential and anti-inflammatory activity. RESULTS: We observed significant recovery in macroscopic evaluation of wound healing in the F. persica extract treated group compared with the control and vehicle treated groups (p < 0.05). Histological and stereological assessments showed complete repair of the epidermal layer, increasing fibroblast cells and collagen density, decreasing inflammatory cells and a remarkable degree of neovascularization by determining length density of blood vessels in the extract group, which were significant as compared to the control and vehicle treated groups (p < 0.05). Expressions of TNF-α and TGF-ß were found to be decreased and increased (p > 0.05, p < 0.05, respectively), in the extract treated group as compared to the control and vehicle treated groups. Also, greater COX-2 expression could be detected in the control and vehicle treated groups, which was significantly attenuated in the extract group. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that the F. persica extract is a valuable source of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity and can allow damaged tissue in wounds to recover markedly.