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. 2013:2013:709865.
doi: 10.1155/2013/709865. Epub 2013 May 16.

Evaluation of the Wound Healing Potential of Resina Draconis (Dracaena cochinchinensis) in Animal Models

Huihui Liu  1 , Shaohui Lin, Dan Xiao, Xiao Zheng, Yan Gu, Shanyu Guo
Affiliations

Evaluation of the Wound Healing Potential of Resina Draconis (Dracaena cochinchinensis) in Animal Models

Huihui Liu et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013.

Abstract

Resina Draconis (RD) is a type of dragon's blood resin obtained from Dracaena cochinchinensis (Lour.) S.C. Chen (Yunnan, China). It has been used as a medicine since ancient times by many cultures. The ethanolic extract of Resina Draconis (RDEE) was evaluated for its wound-healing activity using excision and incision wound models in rats. Group I, the control group, was treated with ointment base. Group II, which served as a reference standard, was treated with moist exposed burn ointment (MEBO). Group III was treated with RDEE. The parameters observed were percentage of wound contraction, epithelialization period, tensile strength, histopathological studies, microvessel density (MVD), and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor- β 1 (TGF- β 1). The group treated with RDEE showed significantly better wound contraction and better skin-breaking strength as compared with the control group. The results of histopathological examination, MVD, and the expression levels of growth factors supported the outcome of the wound models as well. The present study provided a scientific rationale for the traditional use of RD in the management of wounds.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The rate of contraction in control, MEBO, and RDEE treated wound is shown here. Values are expressed as mean ± S.D. (n = 6 animals). **P < 0.01, versus control.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Period of epithelialization in control, MEBO, and RDEE treated wounds is shown. Values are expressed as mean ± S.D. (n = 6 animals). **P < 0.01, versus control.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Tensile strength measurements of 10th day wound tissue of control, MEBO, and RDEE treated rats. Values are expressed as mean ± S.D. (n = 6 animals). **P < 0.01, versus control.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Photomicrograph of cutaneous wounds in rats at 7 days after wounding H&E stains. (a) Control group, (b) MEBO group, and (c) RDEE group. GT: granulation tissue; BV: blood vessel; F: fibroblasts cells; CF: collagen fibers.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Photomicrograph showing histopathological changes of healed skin wounds on day 21 of postwounding (stained with hematoxylin-eosin and masson-trichrome). Collagen fibers were arranged more regularly and sparse than those of the scar tissue in the control group. (a) Control group, (b) MEBO group, and (c) RDEE group. SG: sebaceous gland.
Figure 6
Figure 6
The histologic anti-rat CD31 staining of wound tissue samples. (a) Endothelial cells stained with the antibody were represented by brown colour. (A) Control group, (B) MEBO group, and (C) RDEE group. BV: blood vessel. (b) Quantitative analysis of the CD31 stain was calculated. All data were expressed as mean ± S.D. **P < 0.01, versus control.
Figure 7
Figure 7
TGF-β1 and VEGF mRNA expression in cutaneous wounds. (a) TGF-β1; (b) VEGF. Normalization relative to GAPDH was performed. Results presented in bar graph are the mean ± S.D. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, versus control.
Figure 8
Figure 8
(a) Western blot results for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein in the three groups. (b) Quantification of densitometry analysis of protein levels. All data were expressed as mean ± S.D. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, versus control.
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