Dracorhodin perchlorate regulates fibroblast proliferation to promote rat's wound healing

Novel therapeutic activities of dragon blood from palm tree Daemonorops draco for the treatment of chronic diabetic wounds

BACKGROUND

The clinical efficacy of Jinchuang Ointment, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), in treating chronic non-healing diabetic wounds has been demonstrated over the past decades. Both in vitro and in vivo angiogenic activities have been reported for its herbal ingredients, including dragon blood from the palm tree Daemonorops draco and catechu from Uncaria gambir Roxb. Additionally, crude extracts of dragon blood have exhibited hypoglycemic effects not only in animal studies but also in cell-based in vitro assays.

RESULTS

Our findings indicate that crude dragon blood extract promotes the differentiation of myoblasts into myotubes. Partially purified fractions of dragon blood crude extract significantly enhance the expression of muscle cell differentiation-related genes such as myoG, myoD, and myoHC. Our results also demonstrate that crude extracts of dragon blood can inhibit platelet-derived growth factor-induced PAI-1 expression in primary rat vascular smooth muscle cells, thereby favoring changes in hemostasis towards fibrinolysis. Consistent with previous reports, reduced expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) accelerates wound healing. However, further separation resulted in a significant loss of both activities, indicating the involvement of more than one compound in these processes. Stem cells play a crucial role in muscle injury repair. Neither dragon blood nor catechu alone stimulated the proliferation of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)-immortalized and umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells. Interestingly, the proliferation of both types of stem cells was observed when crude extracts of dragon blood and catechu were present together in the stem cell growth medium.

CONCLUSIONS

Dragon blood from D. draco offers multifaceted therapeutic benefits for treating chronic nonhealing diabetic wounds from various perspectives. Most drugs in Western medicine consist of small molecules with defined ingredients. However, this is not the case in TCM, as the activities of dragon blood reported in this study. Surprisingly, the activities documented here align with descriptions in ancient Chinese medical texts dating back to A.D. 1625.

Soluble polyvinylpyrrolidone-based microneedles loaded with Sanguis draconis and Salvia miltiorrhiza for treatment of diabetic wound healing

BACKGROUND

Nowadays, diabetic wound healing remains a crucial challenge due to their protracted and uncertain healing process. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has demonstrated the therapeutic value of Sanguis draconis (SD)-Salvia miltiorrhiza (SMR) Herb Pair in diabetic wound healing. However, new administration modes are urgently needed for their convenient and wide-ranging applications.

OBJECTIVE

We propose a soluble polyvinylpyrrolidone-based microneedle patch containing the herbal extracts of SD and SMR (MN-SD@SMR) for diabetic wound healing.

METHODS

The herbal extracts of SD and SMR are purification and concentration via traditional lyophilization. SD endowed MN-SD@SMR with functions to improve high glycemic blood environment and migration of keratinocyte and fibroblast cells.

RESULTS

SMR in MN-SD@SMR could improve blood flow velocity and microcirculation in the wound area. The effectiveness of transdermal release and mechanical strengths of MN-SD@SMR were verified.

CONCLUSION

Integrating the advantages of these purified herbal compositions, we demonstrated that MN-SD@SMR had a positive healing effect on the wounds in vitro and vivo. These results indicate that soluble polyvinylpyrrolidone-based microneedle patch containing the herbal extracts of SD and SMR has a promising application value due to their superior capability to promote diabetic wound healing.

In vitro and in vivo studies of Dragon's blood plant (D. cinnabari)-loaded electrospun chitosan/PCL nanofibers: Cytotoxicity, antibacterial, and wound healing activities

The D. cinnabari plant was loaded into the chitosan (Chn)/polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers in two forms: resin (D. cinnabari) and its ethyl acetate fraction. The Chn/PCL, Chn/PCL/D. cinnabari (CPD, 1, 3, and 5 %), and Chn/PCL/ethyl acetate extract D. cinnabari (CPED, 1, 3, and 5 %) showed no toxicity against human dermal fibroblast cells. The lactate dehydrogenase assay results indicated that the toxicity of pour, coated D. cinnabari, and CPED nanofibers were lower than 10 and 15 % after 1 and 3 days, respectively. The antibacterial results showed the inhibition zone for ethyl acetate extract D. cinnabari (ED-3 %), the Chn/PCL-2, and CPED3% nanofibers was 8.1, 7.4, 4.2, 5.1 mm, 12.8, 12.4, 21.7, 17.2 mm, and 24.7, 22.9, 37.1, 30.2 mm against S. aureus, B. subtilis, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa, respectively. The antibacterial activity results showed synergistic effect between the Chn/PCL and ethyl acetate extract D. cinnabari occurred. The diameter of wounds (1.50 × 1.50 cm diameter) made on the dorsal surface of rabbits reduced to 1.50 × 0.70, 0.50 × 0.30, 1.00 × 1.00, 0.60 × 0.50, 0.20 × 0.05, and 0.00 × 0.00 cm in the presence of ordinary gauze dressing, silver sulfadiazine, ED-3 %, Chn/PCL-2, CPD3%, and CPED3%nanofibers, respectively, after 14 days.

Dracorhodin targeting CMPK2 attenuates inflammation: A novel approach to sepsis therapy

BACKGROUND

Despite all modern advances in medicine, an effective drug for treating sepsis has yet to be found. The discovery of CMPK2 spurred hopes for the treatment of sepsis. However, CMPK2-untapped target inhibitors are still an enormous obstacle that has hindered the CMPK2-centric treatment of sepsis.

METHODS

Here, we found that the CMPK2 gene is highly expressed in the whole blood of sepsis patients by RNA-Seq. First, recombinant CMPK2 was purified by a eukaryotic expression purification system, and the activity of recombinant CMPK2 was detected by the ADP-GLO assay. Second, we developed an affinity MS strategy combined with quantitative lysine reactivity profiling to discover CMPK2 ligands from the active ingredients of Chinese herbs. In addition, the dissociation constant Kd of the ligand and the target protein CMPK2 was further detected by microscale thermophoresis technology. Third, we used this strategy to identify a naturally sourced small molecule, dracorhodin (DP). Using mass spectrometry-based quantitative lysine reactivity profiling combined with a series of mutant tests, the results show that K265 acts as a bright hotspot of DP inhibition of CMPK2. Fourth, immune-histochemical staining, ELISAs, RT-qPCR, flow cytometry and immunoblotting were used to illustrate the potential function and related mechanism of DP in regulating sepsis injury.

RESULTS

Our results suggest that DP exerts powerful anti-inflammatory effects by regulating the NLRP3 inflammasome via the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced CMPK2 pathway. Strikingly, DP significantly attenuated LPS-induced sepsis in a mouse model, but its effect was weakened in mice with myeloid-specific Cmpk2 ablation.

CONCLUSION

We provide a new framework that provides more valuable information for new therapeutic approaches to sepsis, including the establishment of screening strategies and the development of target drugs to provide a theoretical basis for ultimately improving clinical outcomes for sepsis patients. Collectively, these findings reveal that DP is a promising CMPK2 inhibitor for the treatment of sepsis.

Research on the wound healing effect of Shengji Huayu Formula ethanol extract-derived fractions in streptozotocin-induced diabetic ulcer rats

BACKGROUND

Diabetic ulcer is a common complication of diabetes. It is characterized by a long-term disease course and high recurrence rate. Shengji Huayu Formula (SHF) is an effective formula for treating diabetic ulcers. However, the specific effective parts of SHF remain unclear. Clarifying the active polar site of SHF would be helpful to refine research on the components in SHF that promote wound healing. This research aims to focus on evaluating the activity of polar fractions.

METHODS

A diabetic rat model was established by intraperitoneally injecting streptozotocin (STZ) and was adopted to confirm the therapeutic effect of SHF. Four different polarity parts were extracted from SHF and prepared into a cream to evaluate the activity. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to detect chemical constituents in chloroform extracts.

RESULTS

It was discovered that dracorhodin, aloe-emodin, rhein, imperatorin, emodin, isoimperatorin, chrysophanol, physcion, and tanshinone IIA were the main components of the chloroform extract from SHF. The results revealed that chloroform extract could effectively accelerate diabetic wound healing by promoting collagen regeneration and epidermal repair. Chloroform extract of SHF could stimulate the generation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The results are also indicated that the effective active fraction was the chloroform part, and the method of detecting the main chemical constituents in the active part was successfully established.

CONCLUSION

SHF could improve diabetic ulcers by promoting granulation tissue synthesis. In this study, four polar parts (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethylacetate, n-butanol) were extracted from a 95% ethanol extract. In contrast, chloroform polar parts showed a higher wound closure rate, stimulated more collagen regeneration and promoted more production of vascular endothelial cells. In conclusion, the chloroform extract of SHF was the effective polar part in ameliorating diabetic wound healing.

Combined metabolomics and network pharmacology to elucidate the mechanisms of Dracorhodin Perchlorate in treating diabetic foot ulcer rats

Background: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a severe chronic complication of diabetes, that can result in disability or death. Dracorhodin Perchlorate (DP) is effective for treating DFU, but the potential mechanisms need to be investigated. We aimed to explore the mechanisms underlying the acceleration of wound healing in DFU by the topical application of DP through the combination of metabolomics and network pharmacology. Methods: A DFU rat model was established, and the rate of ulcer wound healing was assessed. Different metabolites were found in the skin tissues of each group, and MetaboAnalyst was performed to analyse metabolic pathways. The candidate targets of DP in the treatment of DFU were screened using network pharmacology. Cytoscape was applied to construct an integrated network of metabolomics and network pharmacology. Moreover, the obtained hub targets were validated using molecular docking. After the topical application of DP, blood glucose, the rate of wound healing and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were assessed. Results: The levels of IL-1, hs-CRP and TNF-α of the Adm group were significantly downregulated. A total of 114 metabolites were identified. These could be important to the therapeutic effects of DP in the treatment of DFU. Based on the network pharmacology, seven hub genes were found, which were partially consistent with the metabolomics results. We focused on four hub targets by further integrated analysis, namely, PAH, GSTM1, DHFR and CAT, and the crucial metabolites and pathways. Molecular docking results demonstrated that DP was well combined with the hub targets. Conclusion: Our research based on metabolomics and network pharmacology demonstrated that DP improves wound healing in DFU through multiple targets and pathways, and it can potentially be used for DFU treatment.

Pharmacodynamics of Dracorhodin Perchlorate and Its Inflammation-Targeting Emulsion Gel for Wound Healing

The mechanism of dracorhodin perchlorate for the repair of rat skin wounds was investigated. In order to screen a more favorable drug delivery system for wound repair, the therapeutic effect of dracorhodin perchlorate inflammation-targeted emulsion gel was compared with that of non-targeted emulsion gel on rat wounds. Compared with non-targeted emulsion gels, inflammation-targeted emulsion gels had a better transdermal penetration and lower potentials (−51.6 mV and −17.1 mV, respectively). The recovery of the wound from the dracorhodin perchlorate inflammation targeted emulsion gel group was better than that of the dracorhodin perchlorate inflammation non-targeted emulsion gel group and the positive drug group. Compared with the no-target emulsion gel group, the bFGF expression on day 7 and the EGF expression on day 14 in the targeted emulsion group showed 45.5% and 49.9% improvement, respectively. Pathological tissue slices showed that the epidermis, dermis, and basal layer inflammatory cells in the inflammation-targeted emulsion gel group and non-targeted emulsion gel group were significantly reduced, the granulation tissue proliferation was obvious, and the inflammation-targeted emulsion gel group was more effective. The results proved that dracorhodin perchlorate had a repairing effect on rat skin wounds, and its mechanism might be related to the promotion of the expression of EGF and bFGF in tissues.

Multifunctional all-in-one adhesive hydrogel for the treatment of perianal infectious wounds

Postoperative wound of perianal infectious disease represents a common but unique refractory wound in clinical practice. The reasons that hinder the wound healing process include not only the severe bacterial infection of the wound itself and the narrow and deep shape of the wound, but also its frequent bacterial contact. Therefore, the development of biofunctional dressings to aid in therapy is essential. In this study, we synthesized a new type of dressing comprising a hydrogel host based on the Schiff base principle and catechol groups between polydopamine, oxidized dextran, and quaternized chitosan, and then loaded it with traditional Chinese medicine molecules. These formed an integrated hydrogel for accelerated wound repair in a perianal infection model. The prepared hydrogels exhibited excellent wet tissue adhesion, antifouling, morphological variability, suitable swelling properties, and complete degradability, as well as remarkable contact antibacterial ability and the ability to rapidly scavenge free radicals. Hemostatic experiments showed excellent hemostatic properties, as the integrated hydrogel could instantly gel to seal the hemorrhage. Hemocompatibility and in vitro cell experiments showed that the integrated hydrogel had good biosafety and significantly promoted cell proliferation, which in turn accelerated the repair of infected whole cortexes in rats. A histomorphological evaluation showed that the integrated hydrogel promoted the recovery of normal anatomical tissue in rats by promoting the formation of collagen fibers and inhibiting inflammation. The results showed that this multifunctional integrated hydrogel has great potential for the treatment of continuously infected skin regeneration, providing a promising therapeutic strategy for postoperative wound healing in perianal infectious diseases.

Botanical Drugs in Traditional Chinese Medicine With Wound Healing Properties

Chronic and unhealed wound is a serious public problem, which brings severe economic burdens and psychological pressure to patients. Various botanical drugs in traditional Chinese medicine have been used for the treatment of wounds since ancient time. Nowadays, multiple wound healing therapeutics derived from botanical drugs are commercially available worldwide. An increasing number of investigations have been conducted to elucidate the wound healing activities and the potential mechanisms of botanical drugs in recent years. The aim of this review is to summarize the botanical drugs in traditional Chinese medicine with wound healing properties and the underlying mechanisms of them, which can contribute to the research of wound healing and drug development. Taken together, five botanical drugs that have been developed into commercially available products, and 24 botanical drugs with excellent wound healing activities and several multiherbal preparations are reviewed in this article.

Dracorhodin Perchlorate Regulates the Expression of Inflammatory Cytokines through the TLR4 Pathway and Improves Skin Wound Healing in Diabetic Rats

Background

Dragon's blood is a natural medicine with hemostatic and blood-activating effects and is used to promote wound healing. Dracorhodin perchlorate (DP) is a stable form of dracarhod and is used as a substitute for cochinchinenin. DP promotes the proliferation of rat fibroblasts and promotes wound healing in rats.

Methods

DP ointment (0.2 mg/mL) was applied to the skin wounds of nondiabetic and diabetic rats, and the skin of the wound was collected. Wound healing rate, H&E staining, Masson staining, TLR4 pathway, related inflammatory factors, nitric oxide synthase, and so forth were detected.

Results

DP treatment alleviated the prolonged inflammatory cell infiltration time and the increase in the TLR4 pathway and inflammatory factors caused by diabetes. DP also promoted wound healing by increasing eNOS protein expression and NO content in the later stage of wound healing.

Conclusion

DP promotes wound healing in diabetic rats by regulating the TLR4 pathway and related inflammatory factors. Therefore, adjuvant treatment of DP can be developed for diabetic wound healing.

Antioxidant Activity, Sun Protection Activity, and Phytochemical Profile of Ethanolic Extracts of Daemonorops acehensis Resin and Its Phytosomes

Daemonorops (Indonesian: jernang) resin is one of Indonesia’s leading non-timber forest products and can be developed as a source of natural antioxidants and sun protection. This study aimed to select promising solvents for extracting a Daemonorops acehensis resin and phytosome formulation with high antioxidant capacities and sun protection factor (SPF) values. Jernang resin was extracted using a water–ethanol mixture in five different ratios. The promising extract was then mixed with soy lecithin in three different formulations. A promising extract and phytosome were then selected based on their antioxidant capacities and sun protection factor (SPF) values. A liquid chromatography mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) analysis was also performed on five extracts to identify the components in the extracts that might be responsible for the biological activity. The results showed that the ethanol solvent variation and phytosome formulation influenced the antioxidant capacity and SPF value. A hundred-percent ethanolic extract and F1 phytosome exhibited the highest antioxidant capacities and SPF values. A qualitative analysis revealed the various classes of compounds in the extract and phytosome. A flavylium chromophore, dracorhodin, dominated the resin extract and was presumed to be the marker compound responsible for their antioxidant capabilities and SPF values. These findings are important for manufacturing sunscreens containing active compounds of bioactive natural resins.

Dracorhodin perchlorate enhances wound healing via β-catenin, ERK/p38, and AKT signaling in human HaCaT keratinocytes

Dracorhodin can be isolated from the exudates of the fruit of Daemonorops draco. Previous studies suggested that dracorhodin perchlorate can promote fibroblast proliferation and enhance angiogenesis during wound healing. In the present study, the potential bioactivity of dracorhodin perchlorate in human HaCaT keratinocytes, were investigated in vitro, with specific focus on HaCaT wound healing. The results of in vitro scratch assay demonstrated the progressive closure of the wound after treatment with dracorhodin perchlorate in a time-dependent manner. An MTT assay and propidium iodide exclusion detected using flow cytometry were used to detect cell viability of HaCaT cells. Potential signaling pathways underlying the effects mediated by dracorhodin perchlorate in HaCaT cells were clarified by western blot analysis and kinase activity assays. Dracorhodin perchlorate significantly increased the protein expression levels of β-catenin and activation of AKT, ERK and p38 in HaCaT cells. In addition, dracorhodin perchlorate did not induce HaCaT cell proliferation but promoted cell migration. Other mechanisms may yet be involved in the dracorhodin perchlorate-induced wound healing process of human keratinocytes. In summary, dracorhodin perchlorate may serve to be a potential molecularly-targeted phytochemical that can improve skin wound healing.

A competitive nature-derived multilayered scaffold based on chitosan and alginate, for full-thickness wound healing

The aim of this study was to evaluate a bioactive multilayer wound dressing, based on chitosan and alginate. To enhance healing potential, Dracaena Cinnabari and Aloe Vera were loaded as separate layers into the scaffold. The bare and bioactive multilayered scaffolds were fabricated by an iterative layering freeze-drying technique. Following of topographical, chemical, and physical assessment, the performance of the scaffolds was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The results revealed adequate attachment, and proliferation of human foreskin fibroblasts, indicating excellent biocompatibility of the bioactive scaffold. In vivo, the performance of the multi-layered scaffold loaded with the bioactive materials was comparable with Comfeel plus®. The wounds treated with the bioactive scaffold exhibited superior hypergranulation, fibroblast maturation, epithelization, and collagen deposition, with minimal inflammation, and crust formation. It is concluded that the synergism of extracellular matrix-mimicking multi-layered scaffolding with Aloe Vera and Dracaena Cinnabari could be considered as a supportive wound dressing.

The curative effects of the traditional Chinese herbal medicine "Jinchuang ointment" on excisional wounds

BACKGROUND

"Jinchuang ointment" is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine for external incised wounds. This herbal medicine has been successfully used to treat patients with diabetic foot ulcers and pressure sores in Taiwan for several decades. We previously examined its biological activities on cell-based in vitro assay platforms. Because some patients refused to use animal-derived ingredients ointment during our clinical practice, the efficacy of plant oil-based reconstituted "Jinchuang ointment" was also investigated.

METHODS

A porcine excisional wound model was established and used to evaluate its efficacy in vivo in this study. Besides, an unusual clinical case is also present.

RESULTS

As judged from the wound appearance of animal studies on day 14 and the results of blood flow flux at the wound sites on day 28, "Jinchuang ointment" accelerated wound closure significantly better than the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The results from clinical treatment, histopathological evaluation, and the animal study showed that "Jinchung ointment" promotes wound healing significantly better than the control group. Also, sesame oil-reconstituted ointment can be a choice for patients who refuse to use lard-containing ointment.

Dracorhodin perchlorate inhibits osteoclastogenesis through repressing RANKL-stimulated NFATc1 activity

Osteolytic skeletal disorders are caused by an imbalance in the osteoclast and osteoblast function. Suppressing the differentiation and resorptive function of osteoclast is a key strategy for treating osteolytic diseases. Dracorhodin perchlorate (D.P), an active component from dragon blood resin, has been used for facilitating wound healing and anti‐cancer treatments. In this study, we determined the effect of D.P on osteoclast differentiation and function. We have found that D.P inhibited RANKL‐induced osteoclast formation and resorbed pits of hydroxyapatite‐coated plate in a dose‐dependent manner. D.P also disrupted the formation of intact actin‐rich podosome structures in mature osteoclasts and inhibited osteoclast‐specific gene and protein expressions. Further, D.P was able to suppress RANKL‐activated JNK, NF‐κB and Ca²⁺ signalling pathways and reduces the expression level of NFATc1 as well as the nucleus translocation of NFATc1. Overall, these results indicated a potential therapeutic effect of D.P on osteoclast‐related conditions.

Dracohodin Perochlorate Stimulates Fibroblast Proliferation via EGFR Activation and Downstream ERK/CREB and PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathways In Vitro

In recent years, an increasing number of natural plant extracts have been determined to be potential drugs for various illnesses. In this study, we investigated the effects of dracorhodin perchlorate (DP) on fibroblast proliferation, which is crucial for wound healing. Cell proliferation assays were performed by different concentrations of DP, and the cell viability was detected by CCK-8 kits. After DP treatment for 24 h, the cell cycle was checked by flow cytometer. EGFR and downstream signaling pathways ERK1/2 and PI3K were examined with DP treatment by western blot. We further determined the effects of the related inhibitors on DP-induced relative protein phosphorylation and cell proliferation. The results showed that 3 μg/mL of DP promoted cell proliferation most significantly at treatment lengths of 24 h, and the percentage of cells in the S + G2 phase increased compared to those of the control group. In western blot detection, we found that DP significantly upregulated EGFR phosphorylation and activated the downstream ERK/CREB and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Moreover, the results also showed that AG1478 abolished DP-induced relative protein activation and cell proliferation. When U0126 or LY294002 pretreated cells alone, DP-induced p-ERK or p-PI3K downstream proteins and cell proliferation were suppressed compared to those of the control group, but EGFR was not affected. In addition, ICG001 and BEZ235 collectively eliminated DP-induced fibroblast proliferation. Our findings suggest that DP-promoted fibroblast proliferation is stimulated by p-EGFR-induced activation of the ERK1/2-CREB and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways. Our present study explored the mechanism of DP-promoted fibroblast proliferation and provided a new basis for wound healing.

Dracorhodin perchlorate protects pancreatic β-cells against glucotoxicity- or lipotoxicity-induced dysfunction and apoptosis in vitro and in vivo

Glucotoxicity or lipotoxicity leads to hyperglycemia and insulin secretion deficiency, which are important causes for the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Thus, the restoration of β-cell function is a long-sought goal in diabetes research. Previous studies have implicated pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 gene (Pdx1) in β-cell function and insulin secretion. In this study, we established a Pdx1 promoter-dependent luciferase system and identified the natural compound dracorhodin perchlorate (DP) as an effective promotor of Pdx1 expression. We further demonstrated that DP could significantly inhibit β-cell apoptosis induced by 33 mm glucose or 200 μm palmitate by interfering with endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial pathways and enhance insulin secretion as well. These effects were associated with enhanced activities of Erk1/2, which in turn promoted Pdx1 expression and increased the ratio of Bcl2/Bax, since inhibition of the Erk1/2 pathway abolished the DP-induced expression of Pdx1 and suppression of apoptosis. In addition, our in vivo results in diabetic mice indicated that DP treatment lowered blood glucose, raised insulin levels, enhanced Pdx1 expression and increased islet size and number in the pancreas of diabetic mice. Our findings suggest that Pdx1 is a potential target molecule of DP in the treatment of T2DM via the inhibition of glucotoxicity- or lipotoxicity- induced β-cell apoptosis and the attenuation of insulin secretion dysfunction.