Keratin Scaffolds Containing Casomorphin Stimulate Macrophage Infiltration and Accelerate Full-Thickness Cutaneous Wound Healing in Diabetic Mice

Impaired wound healing is a major medical challenge, especially in diabetics. Over the centuries, the main goal of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine has been to invent biomaterials that accelerate the wound healing process. In this context, keratin-derived biomaterial is a promising candidate due to its biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this study, we evaluated an insoluble fraction of keratin containing casomorphin as a wound dressing in a full-thickness surgical skin wound model in mice (n = 20) with iatrogenically induced diabetes. Casomorphin, an opioid peptide with analgesic properties, was incorporated into keratin and shown to be slowly released from the dressing. An in vitro study showed that keratin-casomorphin dressing is biocompatible, non-toxic, and supports cell growth. In vivo experiments demonstrated that keratin-casomorphin dressing significantly (p < 0.05) accelerates the whole process of skin wound healing to the its final stage. Wounds covered with keratin-casomorphin dressing underwent reepithelization faster, ending up with a thicker epidermis than control wounds, as confirmed by histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations. This investigated dressing stimulated macrophages infiltration, which favors tissue remodeling and regeneration, unlike in the control wounds in which neutrophils predominated. Additionally, in dressed wounds, the number of microhemorrhages was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) as compared with control wounds. The dressing was naturally incorporated into regenerating tissue during the wound healing process. Applied keratin dressing favored reconstruction of more regular skin structure and assured better cosmetic outcome in terms of scar formation and appearance. Our results have shown that insoluble keratin wound dressing containing casomorphin supports skin wound healing in diabetic mice.     

The Unexplored Wound Healing Activity of Urtica dioica L. Extract: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study

Wound healing is a great challenge in many health conditions, especially in non-healing conditions. The search for new wound healing agents continues unabated, as the use of growth factors is accompanied by several limitations. Medicinal plants have been used for a long time in would healing, despite the lack of scientific evidence veryfying their efficacy. Up to now, the number of reports about medicinal plants with wound healing properties is limited. Urtica dioica L. is a well-known plant, widely used in many applications. Reports regarding its wound healing potential are scant and sparse. In this study, the effect of an Urtica dioica L. extract (containing fewer antioxidant compounds compared to methanolic or hydroalcoholic extracts) on cell proliferation, the cell cycle, and migration were examined. Additionally, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties were examined. Finally, in vivo experiments were carried out on full-thickness wounds on Wistar rats. It was found that the extract increases the proliferation rate of HEK-293 and HaCaT cells up to 39% and 30% after 24 h, respectively, compared to control cells. The extract was found to increase the population of cells in the G₂/M phase by almost 10%. Additionally, the extract caused a two-fold increase in the cell migration rate of both cell lines compared to control cells. Moreover, the extract was found to have anti-inflammatory properties and moderate antioxidant properties that augment its overall wound healing potential. Results from the in vivo experiments showed that wounds treated with an ointment of the extract healed in 9 days, while wounds not treated with the extract healed in 13 days. Histopathological examination of the wound tissue revealed, among other findings, that inflammation was significantly reduced compared to the control. Urtica dioica L. extract application results in faster wound healing, making the extract ideal for wound healing applications and a novel drug candidate for wound healing.     

Synergy of light-controlled Pd nanozymes with NO therapy for biofilm elimination and diabetic wound treatment acceleration

The presence of bacteria, existing as highly organized biofilm communities, in chronic non-healing wounds has been identified as a significant impediment for wound healing. Nanozymes, with unique antimicrobial mechanisms, as a new alternative for antibiotics, have the potential to synergize with nitric oxide (NO) with enhanced antibacterial and antibiofilm ability. However, the always-on state of nanozymes and the reactivity of NO limit their clinical applications. In this context, an intelligent and multifunctional Pd-MOF@PAzo@SNP nanoplatform was fabricated using UiO-66 as a palladium (Pd) nanozyme-loading vehicle, then a surface modification with photosensitive polyazobenzene (PAzo), and the adsorption of the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) via a host-guest interaction between β-cyclodextrin-modified hyaluronic acid (β-CD-HA) and azobenzene. The activity of Pd-nanozyme was easily controlled via ultraviolet (UV) light, and its photosensitivity was regulated by changing the side-chain unit length of PAzo. Furthermore, NO was released in response to the UV irradiation and played a synergistic role with the peroxidase activity of Pd nanozyme, exhibiting excellent antibacterial and antibiofilm activity in the presence of 0.01 mM hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). In vivo, Pd-MOF@PAzo@SNP accelerated the healing of a biofilm-infected diabetic wound by dispersing the biofilm, reducing bacterial burden, and promoting angiogenesis and collagen deposition. Overall, the nanoplatform provides a reliable and highly efficient strategy to develop an intelligent nanozyme synergy with NO therapy in chronic wound management.     

Acidified Nitrite Accelerates Wound Healing in Type 2 Diabetic Male Rats: A Histological and Stereological Evaluation

Impaired skin nitric oxide production contributes to delayed wound healing in type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study aims to determine improved wound healing mechanisms by acidified nitrite (AN) in rats with T2D. Wistar rats were assigned to four subgroups: Untreated control, AN-treated control, untreated diabetes, and AN-treated diabetes. AN was applied daily from day 3 to day 28 after wounding. On days 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28, the wound levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured, and histological and stereological evaluations were performed. AN in diabetic rats increased the numerical density of basal cells (1070 ± 15.2 vs. 936.6 ± 37.5/mm³) and epidermal thickness (58.5 ± 3.5 vs. 44.3 ± 3.4 μm) (all p < 0.05); The dermis total volume and numerical density of fibroblasts at days 14, 21, and 28 were also higher (all p < 0.05). The VEGF levels were increased in the treated diabetic wounds at days 7 and 14, as was the total volume of fibrous tissue and hydroxyproline content at days 14 and 21 (all p < 0.05). AN improved diabetic wound healing by accelerating the dermis reconstruction, neovascularization, and collagen deposition.     

Antibacterial Effects of Commiphora gileadensis Methanolic Extract on Wound Healing

Commiphora gileadensis (CG) is a small tree distributed throughout the Middle East. It was traditionally used in perfumes in countries in this area. In Saudi Arabia, it was used to treat wounds burns and as an antidote to scorpion stings. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity and cutaneous wound healing efficiency of the CG extracts using microbiological tests, rate of wound contraction and histopathological changes. CG plant were extracted using the methanol extraction technique; then, the methanolic extract was characterized using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC–MS). Afterwards, a six-millimetre (mm) excision wound was induced in 60 male Balb/c mice. Mice were classified into two classes; each class consisted of three groups of 10 mice. In the non-infected wound class, the group I was assigned as control and received normal saline. Group II received gentamicin treatment, and group III treated with CG-methanolic extract. In the Staphylococcus aureus-infected class, group IV received normal saline, and groups V and VI were treated with gentamicin and CG-methanolic extract, respectively. The colonization of infected wounds was determined using colony-forming units (CFUs), and the percentage of wound contraction was measured in all groups. Finally, the histopathologic semi-quantitative determination of wound healing was evaluated by inflammatory cell infiltration, the presence of collagen fibres and granulation tissue, and the grade of re-epithelization. Composition analysis of the methanolic extract confirmed the presence of a high amount of ceramide (69%) and, to a lesser extent, hexosylceramide (18%) and phosphatidylethanolamine (7%) of the total amount. Additionally, there was a statistically significant difference between the percentage of wound contraction in the CG-treated and control groups in both Staphylococcus aureus-infected and non-infected wounds (p < 0.01). The colonization of the infected wounds was lower in the group treated with CG than in the control group (p < 0.01). In both non-infected and infected wounds, the CG-treated group showed significant statistical differences in inflammatory cell infiltration, collagen fibres, re-epithelization and granulation tissue formation compared with the control group (p < 0.01). The CG extract possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that induce wound healing.     

Hyaluronic acid-methacrylic anhydride/polyhexamethylene biguanide hybrid hydrogel with antibacterial and proangiogenic functions for diabetic wound repair

Diabetic wounds lead to a decrease in quality of life and an increase in mortality. Current treatment strategies include preventing bacterial adhesion while improving microcirculation. As a new type of wound dressing that imitates natural skin, hydrogel has gradually emerged with its excellent properties. However, existing hydrogels rarely achieve satisfactory results in promoting wound repair and antibacterial simultaneously. In this case, we prepared methacrylic anhydride chemically modified hyaluronic acid as a hydrogel matrix, added polyhexamethylene biguanide as an antibacterial component, and loaded sodium alginate/salidroside composite microspheres which could sustainably release salidroside and thus promote angiogenesis. Hybrid hydrogel (HAMA/PHMB-Ms) was synthesized via photocrosslinking, and its chemical structure, particle size distribution and microstructure were characterized. The satisfactory antibacterial properties of the HAMA/PHMB(15%)-Ms hydrogel were studied in vitro, and its antibacterial rates against E. coli and S. aureus were 97.85% and 98.56%, respectively. In addition, after demonstrating its good biocompatibility, we verified that the HAMA/PHMB-Ms hydrogel has increased granulation tissue formation, more collagen deposition, more subcutaneous capillary formation, and better wound healing than blank control, HAMA and HAMA/PHMB hydrogel on the back wound model of diabetic mice. The results confirmed that HAMA/PHMB-Ms hydrogel was a promising material for the treatment of the diabetic wounds.     

Effect of Andrographis paniculata leaf extract on wound healing in rats

This work was carried out to study the effect of topical application of Andrographis paniculata on the rate of wound enclosure and its histological features. A wound was created in four groups of rat in posterior neck region. Blank placebo was applied topically to the wounds of Group 1. Groups 2 and 3 were dressed with placebo containing 5% and 10% extracts of A. paniculata, respectively. Intrasite gel was applied topically to the wounds of Group 4. Macroscopical examination revealed that the rate of wound healing was significantly accelerated in the wound dressed with A. paniculata extract compared to the blank placebo. The wounds dressed with 10% extract or Intrasite gel healed earlier compared to the wounds dressed with placebo containing 5% A. paniculata extract. Histologically, wounds dressed with A. paniculata extracts showed markedly less scar width and contained large amounts of fibroblast proliferation. More collagen and less angiogenesis with absence of inflammatory cells were seen for wounds dressed with 10% A. paniculata compared to the blank placebo. Conclusion, A. paniculata extracts significantly enhanced rate of wound healing in rats.     

Bioinspired Platelet-Anchored Electrospun Meshes for Tight Inflammation Manipulation and Chronic Diabetic Wound Healing

Tight manipulation of the initial leukocytes infiltration and macrophages plasticity toward the M2 phenotype remain a challenge for diabetic wound healing. Inspired by the platelet function and platelet–macrophage interaction, a platelet-anchored polylactic acid-b-polyethylene glycol-b-polylactic acid (PLA-PEG-PLA) electrospun dressing is developed for inflammatory modulation and diabetic wounds healing acceleration. PLA-PEG-PLA electrospun meshes encapsulated with thymosin β4 (Tβ4) and CaCl₂ is fabricated with electrospinning, followed by immersion of electrospun mesh in platelet-rich plasma to firmly anchor the platelets. It is demonstrated that the anchored platelets on electrospun mesh can enhance the initial macrophage recruitment and control the Tβ4 release from electrospun meshes to facilitate the macrophages polarization to the M2 phenotype. The inflammatory regulation promotes the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and the migration of vascular endothelial cells for angiogenesis, resulting in accelerated diabetic wounds healing. Therefore, this work paved a new way to design platelet-inspired electrospun meshes for inflammation manipulation and diabetic wound healing.     

Novel anti-inflammatory and wound healing controlled released LDH-Curcumin nanocomposite via intramuscular implantation,in-vivo study

One of the most common problems in wounds is delayed healing and complications such as infection. Therefore, the need for novel materials accelerates the healing of wounds especially abdominal wounds after surgery besides high efficiency and safety is mandatory. The rate of wound healing, anti-inflammatory and biocompatibility of Zn-Al LDH (Zn-Al layer double hydroxide) alone and loaded with Curcumin (Zn-Al LDH/Curcumin) was screened via in-vivo assays through intramuscular implantation in rat abdominal wall with intact peritoneum cavity. The implanted drugs were formed through Curcumin loaded into LDH of Zn-Al with drug release of 56.78 ± 1.51% within 24 h. The synthesized nanocomposite was characterized by (TGA/DTA) thermal analysis, (XRD) X-ray diffraction, (FESEM) Field emission scanning electron microscopy, (HRTEM) high resolution transmission electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and low-temperature N₂ adsorption, pore volume and average pore size distribution. The integrity of blood circulation, inflammatory signs, wound healing rate, capacity of tissue integration, antigenicity and composite biocompatibility, auto fluorescence ability of collagen bundles and the tensile strength of the muscle were assessed histopathologically after 7 and 30 days’ post-implantation. Excellent wound healing ability was achieved with shortest length between the wound gap edges and higher tensile strength of the muscle. Besides emit florescence very well followed by good healing and tensile muscles strength in Curcumin while very low strength with scar formation in Zn-Al LDH/Curcumin in both acute and chronic wound. No signs of inflammation in Curcumin & Zn-Al LDH. No vessels obstruction or bleeding observed in both Zn-Al LDH and Curcumin more than Zn-Al LDH/Curcumin and control which examined through candling. Good healing & infiltrated immune cells in same groups through histopathological examination. This work supports the anti-inflammatory, wound healing and biocompatibility of both LDH and Curcumin with living matter, increasing their biomedical applications in this era with safety and increasing efficacy with prolonged drug release.     

Negative-pressure wound therapy induces endothelial progenitor cell mobilization in diabetic patients with foot infection or skin defects

Non healing chronic wounds are difficult to treat in patients with diabetes and can result in severe medical problems for these patients and for society. Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been adopted to treat intractable chronic wounds and has been reported to be effective. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of this treatment have not been elucidated. To assess the vasculogenic effect of NPWT, we evaluated the systemic mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) during NPWT. Twenty-two of 29 consecutive patients who presented at the clinic of Seoul National Universty Hospital between December 2009 and November 2010 who underwent NPWT for diabetic foot infections or skin ulcers were included in this study. Peripheral blood samples were taken before NPWT (pre-NPWT) and 7–14 days after the initiation of NPWT (during-NPWT). Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis showed that the number of cells in EPC-enriched fractions increased after NPWT, and the numbers of EPC colony forming units (CFUs) significantly increased during NPWT. We believe that NPWT is useful for treating patients with diabetic foot infections and skin ulcers, especially when these conditions are accompanied by peripheral arterial insufficiency. The systemic mobilization of EPCs during NPWT may be a mechanism for healing intractable wounds in diabetic patients with foot infections or skin defects via the formation of increased granulation tissue with numerous small blood vessels.     

A self-powered and drug-free diabetic wound healing patch breaking hyperglycemia and low H2O2 limitations and precisely sterilizing driven by electricity

Accelerating diabetes-related chronic wound healing is a long-sought-after goal in diabetes management. However, therapeutic strategies based on antibiotics or catalysts still face great challenges to break the limitations of antimicrobial resistance, low H₂O₂ and the blocking effect of bacterial biofilms on antibiotic/catalyst penetration. Herein, we reported a glucose biofuel cell-powered and drug-free antibacterial patch, which consisted of an MAF-7 protected glucose oxidase/horseradish peroxidase anode and a horseradish peroxidase cathode, for treating diabetic wounds. This self-powered patch could take high blood glucose as fuel to generate electricity and abundant reactive oxygen species (ROS) in situ, synergistically regulating local hyperglycemia and breaking the limitations of insufficient ROS caused by low H₂O₂ levels. In particular, the electric field created by the GBFC could drive the negatively charged bacteria to adhere firmly to the electrode surface. As a result, the ROS produced in situ on the electrodes was localized to the bacteria, realizing precise sterilization. In vivo experiments confirmed that this self-powered patch enabled the wounds on diabetic mice to take a mere 10 days to eliminate inflammation and form mature skin with new hair follicles, demonstrating its great potential in treating bacteria-infected diabetic wounds.

A GBFC-powered antibacterial patch which can break low H₂O₂ limitations and precisely sterilize driven by electricity was created to treat bacteria-infected diabetic wounds without depending on any exogenous drugs.     

Bud-Poplar-Extract-Embedded Chitosan Films as Multifunctional Wound Healing Dressing

Wounds represent a major global health challenge. Acute and chronic wounds are sensitive to bacterial infection. The wound environment facilitates the development of microbial biofilms, delays healing, and promotes chronic inflammation processes. The aim of the present work is the development of chitosan films embedded with bud poplar extract (BPE) to be used as wound dressing for avoiding biofilm formation and healing delay. Chitosan is a polymer with antimicrobial and hydrating properties used in wound dressing, while BPE has antibacterial, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory properties. Chitosan-BPE films showed good antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties against Gram-positive bacteria and the yeast Candida albicans. BPE extract induced an immunomodulatory effect on human macrophages, increasing CD36 expression and TGFβ production during M1/M2 polarization, as observed by means of cytofluorimetric analysis and ELISA assay. Significant antioxidant activity was revealed in a cell-free test and in a human neutrophil assay. Moreover, the chitosan-BPE films induced a good regenerative effect in human fibroblasts by in vitro cell migration assay. Our results suggest that chitosan-BPE films could be considered a valid plant-based antimicrobial material for advanced dressings focused on the acceleration of wound repair.     

Antimicrobial and Wound Treatment Aspects of Micro‐ and Nanoformulations of Carboxymethyl,Dialdehyde, and TEMPO‐Oxidized Derivatives of Cellulose: Recent Advances

The remedy for infected chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers is more complicated particularly in the case of patients with an inefficient immune system. Also, fighting against microbial infections in the wound site by available antibiotics may not be effective because of emerging antibiotic resistance properties among pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Recently, applications of micro‐ and nanoformulations of biomaterials have demonstrated improved therapeutic abilities for wound dressings. In this way, carboxymethyl, dialdehyde, and 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl‐oxidized celluloses are common biomaterials having outstanding physicochemical and therapeutic properties compared to unmodified cellulose. Therefore, in this review, recent progress in the field of wound healing and antimicrobial activities of these derivatives are presented and discussed.     

Effect of laser dose and treatment schedule on excision wound healing in diabetic mice

The present study was undertaken to evaluate a He-Ne laser (632.8 nm; 7 mW; 4.02 mW cm(-2); 15 mm spot size) dose and the treatment schedule on diabetic wound healing in a mouse model. Circular wounds of 15 mm diameter were created on streptozotocin induced diabetic Swiss albino mice, and were uniformly illuminated with the single exposure of various He-Ne laser doses of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 J cm(-2) respectively. Further, the treatment schedule was also optimized by exposing the wounds with 3 J cm(-2) at 0, 24 h, 48 h postwounding. Contraction kinetics, mean area under the curve and the mean healing time of the wounds were computed along with the collagen and the glucosamine levels in the wound ground tissues at various postwounding treatment schedules. Results of this study indicated that the single exposure of 3 J cm(-2) laser dose applied immediately after the wounding caused a significant reduction in the mean area under the curve and the mean healing time along with the elevated levels of collagen and glucosamine contents in the tissue compared to the controls. In conclusion, He-Ne laser dose of 3 J cm(-2) applied immediately after the wounding has demonstrated optimum wound healing compared to the other doses and treatment schedules.     

Bee Venom in Wound Healing

Bee venom (BV), also known as api-toxin, is widely used in the treatment of different inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis. It is also known that BV can improve the wound healing process. BV plays a crucial role in the modulation of the different phases of wound repair. It possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal, antiviral, antimicrobial and analgesic properties, all of which have a positive impact on the wound healing process. The mentioned process consists of four phases, i.e., hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation and remodeling. The impaired wound healing process constitutes a significant problem especially in diabetic patients, due to hypoxia state. It had been found that BV accelerated the wound healing in diabetic patients as well as in laboratory animals by impairing the caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9 activity. Moreover, the activity of BV in wound healing is associated with regulating the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF-β1), vascular endothelial growth factor and increased collagen type I. BV stimulates the proliferation and migration of human epidermal keratinocytes and fibroblasts. In combination with polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan, BV significantly accelerates the wound healing process, increasing the hydroxyproline and glutathione and lowering the IL-6 level in wound tissues. The effect of BV on the wounds has been proved by numerous studies, which revealed that BV in the wound healing process brings about a curative effect and could be applied as a new potential treatment for wound repair. However, therapy with bee venom may induce allergic reactions, so it is necessary to assess the existence of the patient’s hypersensitivity to apitoxin before treatment.     

Nanoparticle-based therapeutic approaches for wound healing: a review of the state-of-the-art

Wound healing is a complex physiological procedure that includes diverse stages, comprising hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling to reconstruct the skin and subcutaneous tissue's integrity. As reported, various coexisting diseases (diabetes, vascular diseases, etc.) substantially impact wound healing. Factors like recurring injury, age, or hypertrophic scarring also affect wound healing. The management of wound care depends primarily on the advancement of novel and efficient wound dressing substances, and it persists to be a vivid research area in chronic wound healing. Over the past years, the investigation and advancement of wound dressing biomaterials have registered a new standard level, and superior knowledge based on chronic wound pathogenesis has been achieved. Recently, nanotechnology has presented an excellent method to accelerate acute and chronic wound healing via stimulating appropriate movement through the diverse healing stages. Among various nanomaterials, nanoparticles (NPs) have been spotlighted as an efficient treatment strategy for wound healing due to their ability to act as both a therapeutic and carrier system. Their small size and high surface area to volume ratio enhance the probability of bio-interaction and penetration at the wound area aiding cell–cell interactions, the proliferation of cells, cell signaling, and vascularization. This review endeavored to throw light on different aspects of wounds and the latest advances in nanoparticle-based biomaterials for effective wound healing. Further, challenges and future potentialities have been addressed.     

Antibacterial,Adhesive, and Conductive Hydrogel for Diabetic Wound Healing

Diabetic mellitus is one of the leading causes of chronic wounds and remains a challenging issue to be resolved. Herein, a hydrogel with conformal tissue adhesivity, skin-like conductivity, robust mechanical characteristics, as well as active antibacterial function is developed. In this hydrogel, silver nanoparticles decorated polypyrrole nanotubes (AgPPy) and cobalt ions (Co²⁺) are introduced into an in situ polymerized poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and branched poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) network (PPCA hydrogel). The PPCA hydrogel provides active antibacterial function through synergic effects from protonated PEI and AgPPy nanotubes, with a tissue-like mechanical property (≈16.8 ± 4.5 kPa) and skin-like electrical conductivity (≈0.048 S m⁻¹). The tensile and shear adhesive strength (≈15.88 and ≈12.76 kPa, respectively) of the PPCA hydrogel is about two- to threefold better than that of fibrin glue. In vitro studies show the PPCA hydrogel is highly effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. In vivo results demonstrate that the PPCA hydrogel promotes diabetic wounds with accelerated healing, with notable inflammatory reduction and prominent angiogenesis regeneration. These results suggest the PPCA hydrogel provide a promising approach to promote diabetic wound healing.     

Wound Healing,Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties of Clinacanthus nutans (Burm.f.) Lindau and Strobilanthes crispus (L.) Blume Extracts

Clinacanthus nutans is known to be an anticancer and antiviral agent, and Strobilanthes crispus has proven to be an antidiuretic and antidiabetic agent. However, there is a high possibility that these plants possess multiple beneficial properties, such as antimicrobial and wound healing properties. This study aims to assess the wound healing, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of Clinacanthus nutans and Strobilanthes crispus. The Clinacanthus nutans and Strobilanthes crispus leaves were dried, ground, and extracted with ethanol, acetone, and chloroform through cold maceration. In a modified scratch assay with co-incubation of skin fibroblast and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Clinacanthus nutans and Strobilanthes crispus extracts were assessed for their wound healing potential, and the antimicrobial activities of Clinacanthus nutans and Strobilanthes crispus extracts were performed on a panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria on Mueller–Hinton agar based on a disc diffusion assay. To assess for antioxidant potential, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), total phenolic and total flavonoid assays were conducted. In the modified scratch assay, Clinacanthus nutans extracts aided in the wound healing activity while in the presence of MRSA, and Strobilanthes crispus extracts were superior in antimicrobial and wound healing activities. In addition, Strobilanthes crispus extracts were superior to Clinacanthus nutans extracts against Pseudomonas aeruginosa on Mueller–Hinton agar. Acetone-extracted Clinacanthus nutans contained the highest level of antioxidant in comparison with other Clinacanthus nutans extracts.     

Anacyclus pyrethrum (L): Chemical Composition,Analgesic, Anti-Inflammatory,and Wound Healing Properties

Background: Anacyclus pyrethrum (A. pyrethrum) is a wild species belonging to the family Asteraceae, which is used in traditional medicines. Aim of the study: This work was undertaken to study the chemical composition, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing properties of hydroalcoholic extracts of different parts (roots, seeds, leaves, and capitula) of A. pyrethrum. Material and Methods: The phytochemical analysis of the studied extracts was conducted by GC-MS. The analgesic activity was evaluated in mice using acetic acid and formaldehyde methods. The anti-inflammatory activity was tested using the inhibitory method of edema induced in rats. The healing activity of the hydroethanolic extracts was explored by excision and incision wound healing models in rats. Results: The phytochemical analysis of the studied plant extracts affirmed the presence of interesting compounds, including some newly detected elements, such as sarcosine, N-(trifluoroacetyl)-butyl ester, levulinic acid, malonic acid, palmitic acid, morphinan-6-One, 4,5.alpha.-epoxy-3-hydroxy-17-methyl, 2,4-undecadiene-8,10-diyne-N-tyramide, and isovaleric acid. The extracts of different parts (roots, seeds, leaves, and capitula) exhibited promising anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and wound healing effects, with percentages of inhibition up to 98%, 94%, and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: This study might contribute towards the well-being of society as it provides evidence on the potential analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing properties of A. pyrethrum.     

Protease and ROS activities influenced by a composite of bacterial cellulose and collagen type I <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis>

The application of bacterial cellulose as a dressing for chronic and burn wounds has been described as beneficial for healing. However, this study and other tests have shown that bacterial cellulose has no significant influence on the biochemical state of chronic wounds. Such wounds persist in the inflammatory phase of the normal healing process and fail to heal. Exudates from non-healing wounds show elevated levels of proteolytic enzymes, cytokines and reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to a reduced concentration of growth factors and proteinase inhibitors and to a degradation of tissue and severe damage. Thus, the reduction of protein degrading enzymes and proinflammatory interleukins as well as scavenging of ROS appears to be a suitable way to support the healing process. The aim of the present study was to improve the positive features of bacterial cellulose as wound dressing by incorporation of collagen type I into the cellulose pellicle. The research focussed on the possible in situ formation of a composite of bacterial cellulose and collagen type I. This biomaterial is able to reduce the amount of selected proteases and interleukins significantly and possesses a distinct antioxidant capacity as well.