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. 2017:2017:5161565.
doi: 10.1155/2017/5161565. Epub 2017 Oct 29.

Scorpion Venom Active Polypeptide May Be a New External Drug of Diabetic Ulcer

Ting Wan  1 , Luocheng Li  2 , Zhanyong Zhu  1 , Siyang Liu  1 , Yueqiang Zhao  1 , Mosheng Yu  1
Affiliations

Scorpion Venom Active Polypeptide May Be a New External Drug of Diabetic Ulcer

Ting Wan et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017.

Abstract

Background: The epidermal growth factor (EGF) is recognized medicine of therapy in ulcer. However, its efficacy has been challenged. We compared scorpion venom active polypeptide and EGF of therapeutic effects in diabetic ulcer.

Methods: The scorpion venom active polypeptide is made into gel. Fourteen diabetic SD rats were randomly divided into scorpion peptide gel group (SPG group) and EGF group. Before treatment, the rat model of diabetic ulcer was created. The levels of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α in the wound tissue were measured at different time points during the treatment, secretions of wound were collected for bacterial culture, and the wound healing was recorded.

Results: Wound healing was faster in SPG group compared to EGF group (3 weeks versus 5 weeks, t-test, p = 0.032). The levels of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α were not statistically different when the wounds were formed but showed significant differences from the 2nd to the 5th week between two groups. The infection rate was higher in the EGF group (42.86% versus 0, Chi-square test, p = 0.025).

Conclusions: Scorpion venom active polypeptide shortens wound healing with a stronger anti-inflammation and antibacterial effect and may be a new and effective topical drug for the treatment of diabetic ulcers.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
HE staining results showed a large number of neutrophils in the tissue.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The expression of inflammatory factors of the ulcer surface has no significant differences between the two groups at the first week. From the 2nd to 5th week, the expressions of IL-1 (a), IL-6 (b), IL-8 (c), and TNF-α (d) were lower in SPG group obviously when compared to EGF group (t-test, ∗p < 0.05 and ∗∗p < 0.001).
Figure 3
Figure 3
From the second week to the time of complete healing of ulcer after ulcer induction, the ulcer area of SPG group was obviously smaller than the EGF group (t-test,∗p < 0.05 and ∗∗p < 0.001).
Figure 4
Figure 4
The wound healing of two groups: SPG group was significantly faster than EGF group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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