表皮生长因子对新生大鼠高氧损伤肺组织EGFR及EGF mRNA表达的影响

目的： 探讨外源性表皮生长因子（EGF）对新生大鼠高氧损伤肺组织EGFR及EGF mRNA表达的影响。方法： 取胎龄21 d剖宫产出生的新生Sprague dawley （SD）大鼠持续吸入95％的O2制作未成熟肺高氧损伤模型，随机分为高氧表皮生长因子（EGF）组和高氧生理盐水（NS）组，另设空气NS对照组；所有组按给药（或NS）时间分为3个亚组，即：a亚组(1-3 d)、b亚组(4-6 d)、c亚组(1-6 d)；各亚组均于生后3、7、14 d分批处死取肺组织。应用免疫组化观察各组肺组织EGF-R的表达，RT-PCR方法检测EGF-mRNA的表达。结果： EGF mRNA的表达随着日龄增加而递增，生后7、14 d高氧组EGF-R及EGF mRNA的表达高于空气对照组，14 d EGFa和c亚组EGF-R的表达均明显高于相应的高氧NS组(P＜0.05)，14 d时EGF组内源性EGF mRNA的表达较NS组明显增加(P＜0.01)。结论： 早期应用EGF可促进肺泡上皮细胞EGF-R的表达，改善高氧所致肺发育受阻，对未成熟肺高氧损伤有一定的保护作用。     

基于ILK信号通路探究马桑水提取物影响大鼠烧伤创面愈合和瘢痕增生的机制

目的:基于整合素连接激酶(ILK)调控的转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)和PI3K/AKT调控的ILK等互通信号通路,探究马桑水提取物(CSME)促进大鼠烧伤创面早期愈合和抑制后期瘢痕过度增生的机制。方法:随机将180只SD雌性大鼠(180~200 g)分成正常对照(NC)组、凡士林(VL)组、磺胺嘧啶银(SS)组及CSME低、中和高剂量(CSME-L、CSME-M和CSME-H)组,每组各30只。大鼠以水合氯醛麻醉,腰背部II°烫伤造模后,每天分别在创面涂擦VL、SS和3种剂量的CSME烧伤软膏,计算创面愈合率(HR),于第7、14和21天随机选取各组动物10只,水合氯醛麻醉,切取创面皮肤,病理学观查,Western blot检测相关蛋白表达,RT-qPCR检测相关mRNA表达,培养成纤维细胞检测其胶原收缩率(SK)。结果:在第7天,CSME各组创面中ILK、纤维连接蛋白(FN)、TGF-β1、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)和整合素β1(integrin-β1,ITG-β1)的蛋白与mRNA表达呈现剂量依赖性强于VL和SS组,第21天,弱于VL和SS组(P<0.05);第14天,CSME各组组织中I型胶原蛋白(Col I)的蛋白与mRNA表达呈剂量依赖性强于VL和SS组,第21天则弱于VL和SS组(P<0.05),而III型胶原蛋白(Col III)的蛋白与mRNA表达呈剂量依赖性弱于VL和SS组,第21天则强于VL和SS组(P<0.05);随时间推移,VL和SS组成纤维细胞的SK持续升高,96 h达高峰,而CSME各组在24 h和48 h呈剂量依赖性高于VL和SS组,在96 h呈剂量依赖性低于VL和SS组(P<0.05)。结论:CSME早期促进烧伤创面愈合,后期抑制创面瘢痕过度增生,其机制与其多成分多靶点影响ILK调控的TGF-β1和PI3K/AKT调控的ILK信号通路及ColⅠ与Col III表达比的调控相关。     

胶原敷料治疗烧伤创面愈合后色素沉着298例

目的探讨烧伤创面愈合后遗留色素沉着应用胶原敷料治疗的效果。方法选择2005年至2008年烧伤创面愈合后遗留色素沉着的患者298例,分为观察组和对照组,观察组148例,对照组150例。观察组的患者应用胶原敷料,而对照组采用避光治疗作对照研究。两组均连续治疗6周,在1、2、3、4、5、6周分别观察各组创面色素沉着改变的情况。结果采用胶原敷料的观察组有效例数130例,有效率为88％;对照组有效例数为24例,有效率为16％,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论胶原敷料对于烧伤创面愈合后遗留的早期色素沉着,有一定的治疗效果。     

甘草酸对切口愈合模型大鼠促进切口愈合及防止瘢痕形成效果的研究

目的研究甘草酸促进胶原合成对切口愈合模型大鼠瘢痕形成及切口愈合的效果。方法选择50只SD健康大鼠,随机分为空白对照组、模型组、低剂量组、中剂量组和高剂量组,每组10只。模型组、低剂量组、中剂量组、高剂量组均建立切口愈合模型,30 min后对低剂量组、中剂量组、高剂量组大鼠分别静脉注射10 mg/kg、15 mg/kg、30 mg/kg甘草酸,术后3 d、7 d、14 d观察各组大鼠变化。进行组织切片、HE染色,观察大鼠病理组织学变化,检测创面组织中Ⅰ型胶原、Ⅲ型胶原、VEGF、b FGF、EGF mRNA表达量及Ⅰ型胶原、Ⅲ型胶原、PTEN/AKT/VEGF信号通路蛋白表达量,计算愈合瘢痕面积、创面愈合率及愈合时间,并进行组间比较。结果术后3 d、7 d、14 d低剂量组、中剂量组、高剂量组大鼠创面组织中Ⅰ型胶原、Ⅲ型胶原、VEGF、b FGF、EGF mRNA及Ⅰ型胶原、Ⅲ型胶原、VEGFR2、p-AKT蛋白表达量均高于模型组,PTEN蛋白表达量低于模型组,差异具有统计学意义(P 0. 05);术后3 d、7 d、14 d中剂量组、高剂量组大鼠创面组织中Ⅰ型胶原、Ⅲ型胶原、VEGF、b FGF、EGF mRNA及Ⅰ型胶原、Ⅲ型胶原、VEGFR2、p-AKT蛋白表达量均高于低剂量组,PTEN蛋白表达量低于低剂量组,差异具有统计学意义(P 0. 05);术后3 d、7 d、14 d高剂量组大鼠创面组织中Ⅰ型胶原、Ⅲ型胶原、VEGF、b FGF、EGF mRNA及Ⅰ型胶原、Ⅲ型胶原、VEGFR2、p-AKT蛋白表达量均高于中剂量组,PTEN蛋白表达量均低于中剂量组,差异具有统计学意义(P 0. 05)。术后3 d、7 d、14 d低剂量组、中剂量组、高剂量组大鼠愈合瘢痕面积、创面愈合率均高于模型组大鼠,创面愈合时间短于模型组,差异具有统计学意义(P 0. 05);术后3 d、7 d、14 d中剂量组、高剂量组大鼠愈合瘢痕面积、创面愈合率均高于低剂量组,创面愈合时间短于低剂量组,差异具有统计学意义(P 0. 05);术后3 d、7 d、14 d高剂量组大鼠愈合瘢痕面积、创面愈合率均高于中剂量组,创面愈合时间短于中剂量组,差异具有统计学意义(P 0. 05)。结论甘草酸通过作用于PTEN/AKT/VEGF信号通路,减轻切口创面炎性浸润,促进胶原合成、创面愈合,防止瘢痕形成,且呈剂量依赖。     

特异性整合素连接激酶抑制剂QLT0267对大鼠烧伤创面愈合影响的初步研究

目的 观察局部注射特异性整合素连接激酶（ILK）抑制剂QLT0267对SD大鼠深Ⅱ度烧伤创面愈合影响,初步探讨ILK在创面愈合过程中的作用及机制.方法 选取45只雄性SD大鼠,采用恒温恒压烫伤仪在其背部皮肤制备深Ⅱ度烧伤创面,并随机分成实验组、对照组及二甲基亚砜（DMSO）组,每组15只.实验组创面每天注射浓度100 μM QLT0267液100 μL;对照组创面每天注射0.9％氯化钠溶液100 μL;DMSO组创面每天注射0.3％ DMSO液100 μL.测量各组大鼠创面愈合时间和愈合率;伤后14 d取材,各组随机选择5只大鼠,用SP法检测ILK、AKT、PAKT、α-SMA在创面组织中的表达,Western Blot检测各组ILK、AKT、PAKT蛋白含量;用Masson改良法检测创面胶原.结果 实验组大鼠创面平均愈合时间为（21.1±0.6）d,比对照组（17.1±0.6）d和DMSO组（17.7 ±0.6）d长;实验组创面愈合率也低于对照组和DMSO组,比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.Western Blot检测结果显示：各组ILK、AKT蛋白表达差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,实验组PAKT蛋白显著低于对照组和DMSO组.SP法结果各组ILK、AKT表达差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,实验组ILK活性被抑制,PAKT（0.406±0.008）表达较对照组（0.901 ±0.013）、DMSO组（0.966±0.011）降低,比较差异有统计学意义（F=11.27,P=0.04）;实验组α-SMA表达（0.201±0.003）较对照组（0.339 ±0.006）、DMSO组（0.351 ±0.005）也降低,比较差异有统计学意义（F=52.86,P=0.001）;实验组细胞外基质胶原排列较对照组、DMSO组明显稀疏、紊乱.结论 ILK活性被抑制时延迟大鼠皮肤创面愈合.ILK特异性抑制剂QLT0267通过抑制ILK活性PAKT合成减少,可能影响其下游信号的传导,导致肌成纤维细胞生成减少、胶原合成减少,影响创面愈合.     

bFGF和EGF诱导大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞分化成神经样细胞

 目的 探讨bFGF和EGF诱导大鼠BMSCs成神经分化潜能及其表型变化。方法 全骨髓贴壁法分离培养BMSCs,流式细胞仪检测P3代细胞表面标志物CD90、CD45。P3代细胞分为1）对照组（1%胎牛血清+DMEM/F-12）,2）EGF组(20ng/mLEGF）,3）bFGF组(20ng/mLbFGF),4）EGF+bFGF组(20ng/mLEGF+20ng/mLbFGF)行诱导,倒置相差显微镜观察细胞形态,Western blot检测细胞内NSE及GFAP蛋白的表达,RT-PCR检测其mRNA。结果 BMSCs呈长梭形或扁平形,漩涡样排列,CD90表达高达98.72%,而CD45仅1.05%;诱导后胞体收缩,折光性增强,呈双极甚至复杂的多极,向周围伸出明显突起,呈典型的神经样细胞;NSE、GFAP蛋白EGF组、bFGF组、EGF+bFGF组表达均高于对照组,bFGF组、EGF+bFGF组高于EGF组,且EGF+bFGF组高于bFGF组,EGF组高于对照组（p<0.05）;mRNA变化与上述结果类似。结论 bFGF和EGF可促进大鼠BMSCs向神经分化,二者合用时效果最显著,且bFGF促BMSCs向神经分化的能力强于EGF。为BMSCs移植治疗周围神经疾患提供了理论基础。     

大黄素对深Ⅱ度烧伤感染大鼠创面愈合的作用机制

目的 探究大黄素改善深Ⅱ度烧伤感染大鼠微循环、抑制炎症反应、促进创面愈合的效应及其作用机制。方法 将30只SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组和大黄素组。制备大鼠深II度烧伤模型后,计算大鼠烧伤创面愈合率,检测创面组织微循环血流灌注值（MPD）、微血管密度（MVD）和创面组织含水量;免疫荧光方法检测创面组织表皮生长因子（EGF）、血管内皮生成因子（VEGF）和碱性成纤维细胞因子（b-FGF）表达;ELISA方法检测创面组织中炎症因子白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)水平;Western blot方法检测创面皮肤组织基质金属蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)、MMP-9、Toll样受体4(TLR4)、核转录因子-κB(NF-κB)、IκB和磷酸化IκB(p-IκB)蛋白表达。结果 与模型组比较,大黄素组大鼠烧伤创面愈合率增加;创面组织MPD、MVD均增加,含水量降低;创面皮肤组织EGF、VEGF和bFGF表达量增加;MMP-2、MMP-9表达量降低,IL-6、IL-1β和TNF-α水平亦降低;TLR4、NF-κB和p-IκB蛋白表达降低,IκB蛋...     

针刺对创伤性脑损伤大鼠脑组织EGF和bFGF表达的影响

目的: 观察针刺对创伤性脑损伤模型大鼠脑组织表皮生长因子(EGF)和碱性成纤维生长因子( bFGF)表达的影响。方法: 参照Feeney自由落体冲击造模法建立创伤性脑损伤大鼠模型,将30只大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组和针刺组,每组10只。针刺组给予针刺治疗,每天1次,共治疗7 d。处理结束后,采用免疫组织化学方法检测损伤脑组织EGF和bFGF含量。结果: 与假手术组比较,模型组大鼠脑组织EGF表达下降(P<0.01),而bFGF上升(P<0.01);与模型组比较,针刺组EGF和bFGF表达明显升高 (P<0.01)。结论: 针刺可促进神经再生相关生长因子EGF和bFGF的表达,这可能是针刺促进神经再生和功能恢复、治疗颅脑损伤的机制之一。     

甲基丙烯酸羟乙酯-胶原抗菌药物缓释膜促SD大鼠烧伤创面愈合的实验研究

目的考察甲基丙烯酸羟乙酯穴HEMA雪-胶原抗菌药物缓释膜对烧伤创面的促愈合作用。方法制备包裹有磺胺嘧啶银穴SD-Ag雪的HEMA-胶原抗菌药物缓释膜,观察其对SD大鼠深Ⅱ°烧伤模型的作用。63只SD烧伤模型大鼠随机分为3组,A组(21只)以HEMA抗菌药缓释膜治疗,B组(21只)以磺胺嘧啶糊剂治疗,C组(对照组,21只)无治疗。结果实验组大鼠不同时间点的创面愈合率均高于对照组穴P<0.05雪,愈合时间明显缩短穴P<0.05雪。组织学观察可见实验组愈合创面上皮化程度好于对照组。结论HEMA-胶原抗菌药物缓释膜可有效促进大鼠深Ⅱ°烧伤创面愈合,具有一定应用前景。     

凝胶型胶原敷料修复糖尿病皮肤缺损及促进血管再生

背景:胶原已经被证实能够促进受损组织创面的修复,加速创面愈合。目的:观察凝胶型活性胶原敷料对糖尿病皮肤缺损愈合的影响,以及在促进毛细血管再生方面的作用。方法:取SD大鼠160只,其中40只为正常对照,另120只腹腔注射链脲佐菌素制作糖尿病模型。造模9周后将120只大鼠随机均分为模型组、阳性对照组、实验组,连同正常对照组在大鼠背部制作全层皮肤缺损创面,正常对照组和模型组创面外敷灭菌凡士林,实验组外敷凝胶型胶原敷料,阳性对照组外敷重组人表皮生长因子凝胶,观察各组创面愈合面积及毛细血管新生情况。结果与结论:给药第1周,除正常对照组动物愈合较快外,其余各组动物创面愈合速度差异不大;给药第2周,正常对照组愈合速度最快,阳性对照组、实验组创面未愈合面积小于模型组;给药第3周,正常对照组及实验组创面未愈合面积小于模型组和阳性对照组;给药第4周,正常对照组及阳性对照组未愈合面积小于模型组和实验组;并且实验组给药第2,3周的创面愈合效果好于阳性对照组。实验组给药第1,2,3周的毛细血管数均多于其余3组。结果表明凝胶型胶原敷料可促进糖尿病缺损创面愈合速度并提高愈合质量。     

The effect of porcine ADM to improve the burn wound healing

To study the effect of porcine acellular dermal matrix (ADM) on the burn wound healing. Seventy healthy Wistar rats were inflicted with 2 cm second degree burn and divided into 2 groups; one group was treated with porcine ADM and the other with Povidone Iodine Cream. Biopsies were taken on day 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21 for histopathological and biochemical analysis to test PCNA, K19, Integrin-β1, PDGF, EGF and FGF. The results revealed relatively better and faster regeneration after treatment of porcine ADM, along with greatly increased synthesis in collagen in the experimental group. PCNA, K19, Integrin-β1 had an increase and then tapered down, and were stronger in the experimental group than in the contrast group during 21 days after burns. PDGF, EGF and FGF levels increased on day 3, peaked on day 5 and then started to decrease, while significantly enhanced expression of relevant growth factors were observed in the experimental group. Porcine ADM stimulate collagen synthesis, stem cells proliferation and differentiation, and the expression of relevant growth factors and ultimately improve the burn wound healing.     

血管紧张素Ⅱ2型受体阻滞剂对小鼠全层皮肤缺损创面愈合的影响

 目的： 观察阻断血管紧张素II （Ang II）及其2型受体（AT2R）对创面愈合过程的创面愈合率、上皮爬行、肉芽组织形成以及创伤局部生长因子表达的影响,探讨Ang II及AT2R影响创伤愈合的机制。方法：建立小鼠背部全层皮肤缺损创面模型,直径6 mm,在创面模型建立同时腹腔注射给予特异性AT2R阻断剂PD123319（每天10 mg/kg）,于创面形成后第3、5、7、9、11、13和15天切取创面组织标本,采用HE染色观察PD123319对创面愈合过程中创面愈合率、上皮爬行和肉芽组织生长的影响;采用ELISA法检测PD123319对创面内与创伤愈合密切相关的表皮生长因子（EGF）、血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子（bFGF）表达的影响。结果：对照组在创面形成后第5天和第7天的愈合率分别为(63.55±2.57)%和(80.78±4.65)%。PD123319处理组在创面形成后第5天和第7天分别为(79.89±4.56)%和(88.98±3.83)%,两组差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。在伤后第5天和第7天, 对照组创面上皮爬行距离分别为(1.22±0.15)mm和(1.93±0.17)mm,PD123319处理组创面上皮爬行距离分别为(1.65±0.12)mm和(2.36±0.18) mm,两组差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。在伤后第5天和第7天对照组创面肉芽组织的面积分别为(9.37±0.53)mm2和(7.15±0.42)mm2,PD123319处理组创面肉芽组织面积分别为(11.51±0.98) mm2和(9.32±0.67) mm2,两组差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。在伤后第5天和第7天,PD123319处理组创面局部EGF、 VEGF和bFGF的含量明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论：AT2R阻滞剂PD123319能够促进创面愈合。PD123319促进创面愈合可能与其促进创面内上皮爬行、肉芽组织形成及EGF、VEGF、bFGF等生长因子的表达有关。     

Histopathological evaluation of the healing effects of human amniotic membrane transplantation in third-degree burn wound injuries

Skin burn injuries result in loss of its protective function as a barrier and leading to a high risk of infection. Therefore, effective treatments and healing of burn injuries are very important to prevent complications. Amniotic membrane (AM) as a biological dressing inhibits the loss of vital fluids, water, and protein. The aim of this study was to compare the healing effects of AM and silver sulfadiazine (SSD) ointment in third-degree burn injuries in experimental rat model. Fifty-four male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided randomly into three equal groups. After induction of third-degree burn, transplantation of human AM (HAM) and SSD ointment used on wound area for treatment groups. The third group was considered as control. At days 7, 14, and 21, histopathological evaluation of burn wound area was performed using light microscopy. After 21 days, burn injury in HAM group showing lack of enough wound contraction and decrease in wound area in comparison to SSD group. Also, the healing effects were demonstrated using decline of inflammatory cell infiltration and enhanced epithelium after 21 days. The total wound score was significantly higher in the HAM group than the control and SSD ointment groups, during and at the end of the experiment (P?<?0.05). On day 21, significantly lesser inflammatory cell infiltration was noticed in the control group (P?<?0.05). Our findings showed that HAM can be used successfully as a biological treatment for experimental third-degree burn injury in animal model.     

Growth factors bFGF and TGB beta accelerate the rate of wound repair in normal and in diabetic rats

The effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) on the rate of wound repair in both normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were investigated using two model systems of wound repair, namely incisional wounding and subcutaneous implantation of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sponges. Both models showed the expected wound-healing defects of the diabetic rats. Granulation tissue collected from the implanted PVA sponges showed that the diabetic rats had reduced amounts of collagen, DNA and protein present at the wound site at two time points tested (7 and 9 days post-implantation). Fresh tensile strength of the incisional wounds, a measure of the collagen organization in a wound, was reduced to 53% of normal in diabetic rats on day 7 post-wounding, and was only 29% of normal by day 21. Formalin-fixed tensile strength, a measure of collagen content of the wound, was 41% of normal on day 7, and 78% of normal by day 21, giving evidence that while the collagen concentration of the diabetic wounds approached that of normal wounds, it did not undergo the normal maturation process. A single injection of 2 micrograms of TGF beta directly into the incision three days after wounding resulted in little difference in the fresh and fixed tensile strength of diabetic wounds when tested at 7, 14 and 21 days post-wounding. Normal rats, however, responded well, resulting in a greater than 30% increase in both fresh and fixed tensile strength.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of Virgin Fatty Oil of Pistacia Lentiscus on Experimental Burn Wound's Healing in Rabbits

This study aimed to assess the efficiency of the virgin fatty oil of Pistacia lentiscus (PLVFO) for burn wounds healing. It was carried out on 6 adult male New Zealand rabbits. Four burn wounds of deep third degree were made on the back of each animal. The first was not treated and served as control (CRL group); the others were covered immediately after burning procedure by 0.5g of one of the following products: Vaseline gel (VAS group), Madecassol® cream 1% (MAD group) or 1ml of PLVFO (PLVFO group). The treatments were repeated once daily until complete healing. For four days post burns, the percentage of wound contraction was assessed. Also, the different healing times were noted. The results showed that both PLVFO and Madecassol® significantly accelerated wound healing activity compared to wounds dressed with Vaseline and the untreated wounds. However, the level of wound contraction was significantly higher and the healing time was faster in PLVFO group than those of the MAD group, VAS group and CRL group. The different epithelization periods obtained in days were respectively: 30±3.94 (PLVFO group), 33.5±3.78 (MAD group), 34.66±3.88 (VAS group) and 37.16±3.54 (CRL group). We conclude that Pistacia lentiscus virgin fatty oil promotes significantly (p< 0.05) wound contraction and reduces epithelization period in rabbit model.     

Basic fibroblast growth factor promotes apoptosis and suppresses granulation tissue formation in acute incisional wounds

Cytokines are thought to play an important role in cellular loss and apoptosis during the repair of granulation tissue. In order to investigate the role of apoptosis following the administration of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) to a wound, the present study examined the relationship between the degree of granulation tissue formation and the level of apoptosis in rat skin incisional wounds, following treatment with an intradermal injection of bFGF (0.1 microg and 1 microg per cm of wound). Histological assessment of the width of the wound tissue showed that the degree of granulation tissue in the 1 microg-bFGF-treated group had increased by day 7, but then subsequently diminished by days 14 and 28. The TUNEL index increased rapidly from day 1, peaking on day 7, with the index being higher in the 1 microg-bFGF-treated group on days 4, 7, and 14, when compared with a control group. In parallel with a marked increase in the TUNEL index over the first 14 days, the number of cells positive for vimentin and CD3 in the 1 microg-bFGF-treated wounds had decreased by day 14. The number of PCNA-positive cells, an indicator of cell proliferation, peaked on day 4 in the bFGF-treated wounds and then declined rapidly. On the basis of these results, it is suggested that the suppression of granulation tissue formation in bFGF-treated wounds is mainly due to an early and persistent increase in apoptosis in the granulation tissue cells. The expression of both transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 and bFGF was also elevated in the bFGF-treated wounds on days 4 and 7, suggesting that fibroblast apoptosis was induced by bFGF treatment. Unexpectedly, on day 28, the wound breaking strength was not reduced in the bFGF-treated wounds. These results indicate that apoptosis regulation following bFGF administration to an incisional wound may lead effectively to granulation tissue formation and promote a scar-less repair process.     

Algimaf treatment of burns

Application of algimaf, a new polymeric dressing, in local therapy of burn wounds is conducive to spontaneous epithelization of surface burns and favors effective autodermoplasty in thermal burns. Cytologic studies of the wound discharge and examination of the burn wound microflora qualitative and quantitative composition indicate a high therapeutic efficacy of the dressing.     

Wound-Healing and Potential Anti-Keloidal Properties of the Latex of Calotropis Procera (Aiton) Asclepiadaceae in Rabbits

Calotropis Procera (CP) has been used in the management of toothache, fresh skin burns, gum bleeding as well as others to make it qualify as a medicinal plant. This study was designed to assess its wound-healing property in rabbits and its potentials for anti keloidal activity.Fresh latex of Calotropis were obtained and evaluated phytochemically. Fifteen male rabbits were used and four excisional wounds were created on each rabbit. The rabbits were divided into five groups of three each. Group 1 was the negative control and received no treatment. The wounds of group 2 animals were treated with 2mL of Calotropis latex; group 3 with 2mL honey; and group 4 with a mixture of 1ml honey and 1 mL of the latex. The animals in group 5 were given 2mg triamcinolone intramuscularly. All the groups had their wounds treated daily for 21 days. The wounds'' diameters were measured on the day of wound creation, thereafter on days 7, 14 and 21 post wound creation. Biopsies of the wounds were taken on days 3 and 21 and viewed histologically. Phytochemical study of the latex revealed the presence of glycosides, tannins and alkaloids. The wounds were found to be significantly (p<0.05) reduced in groups treated with 50% latex in honey and triamcinolone, respectively, on day 7 post wound creation while there was a significant (p<0.05) reduction in wound surface area in all treated groups on days 14 and 21 post wound creation. Histological findings in untreated group showed thick bundle of collagen fibres some of which had broad based configurations, reminiscent of keloid. The group treated with 2mL of Calotropis latex revealed the presence of florid granulation tissues on day 3 while there was a marked reduction in quantity and size of collagen fibres on day 21 post wound creation which was comparable with what was seen for the triamcinolone-treated group.The general effect of Calotropis latex on wound-healing was noted. Likewise it''s similarity to that of triamcinolone, an anti-keloidal agent; this makes it a probable candidate for future anti-keloidal study using a suitable model.