The molecular basis of wound healing processes induced by lithospermi radix: a proteomics and biochemical analysis

Astragalus polysaccharide-containing 3D-printed scaffold for traumatized skin repair and proteomic study

Astragalus polysaccharide-containing 3D-printed scaffold shows great potential in traumatic skin repair. This study aimed to investigate its repairing effect and to combine it with proteomic technology to deeply resolve the related protein expression changes. Thirty SD rats were divided randomly into three groups (n = 10 per group): the sham-operated group, the model group and the scaffold group. Subsequently, we conducted a comparative analysis on trauma blood perfusion, trauma healing rate, histological changes, the expression of the YAP/TAZ signalling pathway and angiogenesis-related factors. Additionally, neonatal skin tissues were collected for proteomic analysis. The blood perfusion volume and wound healing recovery in the scaffold group were better than that in the model group (p < 0.05). The protein expression of STAT3, YAP, TAZ and expression of vascular-related factor A (VEGFA) in the scaffold group was higher than that in the model group (p < 0.05). Proteomic analysis showed that there were 207 differential proteins common to the three groups. Mitochondrial function, immune response, redox response, extracellular gap and ATP metabolic process were the main groups of differential protein changes. Oxidative phosphorylation, metabolic pathway, carbon metabolism, calcium signalling pathway, etc. were the main differential metabolic pathway change groups. Astragalus polysaccharide-containing 3D-printed scaffold had certain reversals of protein disorder. The Astragalus polysaccharide-containing 3D-printed scaffold may promote the VEGFs by activating the YAP/TAZ signalling pathway with the help of STAT3 into the nucleus, accelerating early angiogenesis of the trauma, correcting the protein disorder of the trauma and ultimately realizing the repair of the wound.

Shikonin potentiates skin wound healing in Sprague-Dawley rats by stimulating fibroblast and endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis

BACKGROUND

Shikonin, a major component of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, exerts anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects and expedites wound healing. This study aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of shikonin in a Sprague-Dawley rat model and cell models using fibroblast and endothelial cells.

METHODS

The impact of shikonin on the activity of endothelial cells and fibroblasts was examined by cell counting kit 8 and wound-healing assays. A diabetic rat model was constructed, followed by wound creation for treatment with shikonin. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to assess pathological changes, and Masson's trichrome method to detect collagen deposition. Immunohistochemistry using antibodies against proliferating cell nuclear antigen and CD31 was conducted to detect proliferation and vascular density. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemistry were carried out to assess pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factor concentrations. Western blot and immunofluorescence were implemented to analyze oxidative stress-related protein expression.

RESULTS

Shikonin induced the activity of both fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Shikonin treatment contributed to facilitated wound healing and higher healing rates in rats. It also resulted in faster lesion debulking in tissues, reduced inflammatory infiltration, increased collagen deposition, and enhanced angiogenesis. Detection of markers at the wounds showed that shikonin accelerated cell proliferation, enhanced tissue remodeling, and inhibited oxidative stress.

CONCLUSION

Shikonin stimulates the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts and endothelial cells to promote angiogenesis and tissue remodeling, resulting in faster wound healing.

Comparative efficacy of Jaungo, a traditional herbal ointment, and a water-in-oil type non-steroidal moisturizer for radiation-induced dermatitis in patients with breast cancer: a prospective, randomized, single-blind, pilot study

Background: Radiation-induced dermatitis (RID) is one of the most prevalent side-effects of conventional cancer therapies; however, there is no standard treatment for its prevention. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of Jaungo (mainly composed of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Siebold & Zucc. and Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diel) and the water-in-oil-type non-steroidal moisturizer for the prevention of RID in patients with breast cancer (BC). Methods: This is a prospective, single-blind, pilot randomized controlled trial. Between March 2021 and July 2022, 50 patients were randomly selected to use Jaungo or the moisturizer while undergoing postoperative radiation therapy (RT). Assessments were conducted nine times-every week while the patients underwent RT and 2 weeks after the end of therapy. The primary outcome was the incidence rate of RID grade ≥2. The secondary outcomes were the incidence rate of maximum grade RID, time to RID onset, RID-related quality of life (QOL) score, pain intensity, and adverse events. Results: The incidence rate of RID grade ≥2 was 24.0% and 20.0% in the Jaungo and the moisturizer groups, respectively, with no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.733). Regarding the secondary outcomes, the incidence rate of maximum grade RID (p = 0.890), mean time to RID onset (p = 0.092), cumulative incidence rate of RID (p = 0.280), RID-related QOL score, and maximum pain intensity (p = 0.844) also did not differ significantly between the groups. None of the subjects in either group experienced severe adverse effects, although one participant in the moisturizer group had mild fever and insomnia. Conclusion: These findings suggest that Jaungo has preventive efficacy without severe side-effects against RID in patients with BC that is comparable to that of the water-in-oil type non-steroidal moisturizer. Further extensive randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes are warranted to validate our findings. Clinical Trial Registration: Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS), https://cris.nih.go.kr, identifier KCT0005971.

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.

Comparative Efficacy of Jaungo, A Traditional Herbal Ointment, and the Water-in-Oil Type Non-Steroidal Moisturizer for Radiation-Induced Dermatitis in Patients With Breast Cancer: A Study Protocol for a Prospective, Randomized, Single-Blinded, Pilot Study

Background: Radiation-induced dermatitis (RID) is a common complication of radiation therapy (RT). Although it has a high prevalence and can even trigger the premature end of conventional cancer therapies, there is no standard management. This study aims to evaluate whether topical use of Jaungo (Shiunko), a traditional herbal ointment mainly composed of Lithospermi radix and Angelica sinensis, could reduce RID compared to the water-in-oil type non-steroidal moisturizer in patients with breast cancer.

Methods: This is a prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled pilot trial that investigates the effect of topical application of Jaungo for the prevention of RID in postoperative breast cancer patients scheduled for RT, in comparison with the non-steroidal moisturizer, with a random distribution of 50 patients across the two groups. RT will be administered for 5–7 weeks with a biological equivalent dose (BED₁₀) of 60 Gy or more, and the interventions will be applied 3 times a day during RT duration. Participants will be assessed a total of nine times, including eight visits during the period of RT and one visit at a 2-week follow-up period after the end of treatment. The incidence and severity of RID, quality of life, skin reaction symptoms, and maximum pain related to RID will be measured. The incidence rate of grade 2 or higher RID using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) in the two groups will be statistically compared as the primary outcome. The types and frequencies of adverse events will be also collected and evaluated. All assessments will be performed by independent radiology oncologists.

Discussion: This trial is currently ongoing and is recruiting. This study will determine the preventive efficacy of Jaungo in RID with postoperative breast cancer patients and provide evidence in traditional Korean medicine clinical practice.

Electrospun wound dressings containing bioactive natural products: physico-chemical characterization and biological assessment

Background

Current research on skin tissue engineering has been focusing on novel therapies for the effective management of chronic wounds. A critical aspect is to develop matrices that promote growth and uniform distribution of cells across the wound area, and at the same time offer protection, as well as deliver drugs that help wound healing and tissue regeneration. In this context, we aimed at developing electrospun scaffolds that could serve as carriers for the bioactive natural products alkannin and shikonin (A/S).

Methods

A series of polymeric nanofibers composed of cellulose acetate (CA) or poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and varying ratios of a mixture of A/S derivatives, has been successfully fabricated and their physico-chemical and biological properties have been explored.

Results

Scanning electron microscopy revealed a uniform and bead-free morphology for CA scaffolds, while for PCL beads along the fibers were observed. The average diameters for all nanofibers ranged between 361 ± 47 and 487 ± 88 nm. During the assessment of physicochemical characteristics, CA fiber mats exhibited a more favored profile, while the assessment of the biological properties of the scaffolds showed that CA samples containing A/S mixture up to 1 wt.% achieved to facilitate attachment, survival and migration of Hs27 fibroblasts. With respect to the antimicrobial properties of the scaffolds, higher drug-loaded (1 and 5 wt.%) samples succeeded in inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis and S. aureus around the edges of the fiber mats. Finally, carrying out a structure-activity relationship study regarding the biological activities (fibroblast toxicity/proliferation and antibacterial activity) of pure A/S compounds – present in the A/S mixture – we concluded that A/S ester derivatives and the dimeric A/S augmented cell proliferation after 3 days, whereas shikonin proved to be toxic at 500 nM and 1 μM and alkannin only at 1 μM. Additionally, alkannin, shikonin and acetyl-shikonin showed more pronounced antibacterial properties than the other esters, the dimeric derivative and the A/S mixture itself.

Conclusions

Taken together, these findings indicate that embedding A/S derivatives into CA nanofibers might be an advantageous drug delivery system that could also serve as a potential candidate for biomedical applications in the field of skin tissue engineering.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40824-021-00223-9.

Antidiabetic activities of Bolanthus spergulifolius (Caryophyllaceae) extracts on insulin-resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder with chronic hyperglycemia featured by metabolic outcomes owing to insufficient insulin secretion and/or insulin effect defect. It is critical to investigate new therapeutic approaches for T2DM and alternative, natural agents that target molecules in potential signal pathways. Medicinal plants are significant resources in the research of alternative new drug active ingredients. Bolanthus spergulifolius (B. spergulifolius) is one of the genera of the family Caryophyllaceae. In this study, it was explored the potential anti-diabetic effects in vitro of B. spergulifolius extracts on 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The total phenolic contents (TPC) of methanolic (MeOH), ethyl acettate (EA) and aqueous extracts of B. spergulifolius were evaluated via Folin-Ciocateau. B. spergulifolius extracts showing highly TPC (Aqueous< MeOH< EA) and their different concentrations were carried out on preadipocytes differentiated in to mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes to investigate their half-maximal (50%) inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value by using Thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The IC₅₀ of MeOH, EA and Aqueous extracts were observed as 305.7 ± 5.583 μg/mL, 567.4 ± 3.008 μg/mL, and 418.3 ± 4.390 μg/mL and used for further experiments. A live/dead assay further confirmed the cytotoxic effects of MeOH, EA and Aqueous extracts (respectively, 69.75 ± 1.70%, 61.75 ± 1.70%, 70 ± 4.24%, and for all p< 0.05). Also, effects of extracts on lipid accumulation in mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes were evaluated by Oil-Red O staining assay. The extracts effectively decreased lipid-accumulation compared to untreated adipocytes (for all p< 0.05). Moreover, effect of extracts on apoptosis regulated by the Bax and Bcl-2 was investigated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The extracts significantly induced apoptosis by up-regulating pro-apoptotic Bax expression but down-regulated anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 gene expression compared to untreated adipocytes (for all p< 0.05). The Glut-4 expression linked with insulin resistance was determined by qRT-PCR, Western-blot analysis, and immunofluorescence staining. In parallel, the expression of Glut-4 in adipocytes treated with extracts was significantly higher compared to untreated adipocytes (for all p< 0.05). Extracts significantly suppressed cell migration after 30 h of wounding in a scratch-assay (for all p< 0.05). Cell morphology and diameter were further evaluated by phase-contrast microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Immunofluorescence with F-Actin and Giemsa staining. The adipocytes treated with extracts partially lost spherical morphology and showed smaller cell-diameter compared to untreated adipocytes (for all p< 0.05). In conclusion, these results suggest that extracts of B. spergulifolius cause to an induce apoptosis, decrease lipid-accumulation, wound healing, up-regulating Glut-4 level and might contribute to reducing of insulin-resistance in DM.

A novel self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system for curcumin used in the treatment of wound healing and inflammation

The main objective of this study was to develop and evaluate self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) of curcumin (Cur) to enhance their solubility as well as improve skin permeation; and evaluate wound healing potential of Cur via SNEDDS in comparison with standards pure eucalyptus oil-SNEDDS (Euc-SNEDDS), pure curcumin suspension (Cur-S), and standard fusidic acid followed by their anti-inflammatory action. Curcumin-loaded different SNEDDS formulations were formulated through aqueous phase titration method and the zones of SNEDDS were recognized by the construction of phase diagrams. Eucalyptus oil, Tween 80 (surfactant), and Transcutol HP (co-surfactant) were selected on the basis of their solubility and highest nanoemulsion region. Characterization of thermodynamic stability for Cur-loaded SNEDDS was evaluated by its globule size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, viscosity, % transmittance, refractive index, and surface morphology. Cur-SNEDDS (Cur-SN4) was optimized and selected on the basis of their excellent physicochemical parameters for in vivo activity. The particle size (59.56 ± 0.94 nm), % transmittance (99.08 ± 0.07%), and PDI (0.207 ± 0.011 were observed for optimized Cur-SNEDDS. TEM and SEM showed their smooth and spherical shape of the morphological characterization with zeta potential (- 21.41 ± 0.89), refractive index (1.341 ± 0.06), and viscosity (11.64 ± 1.26 cp) for optimized Cur-SNEDDS. Finally, optimized Cur-SNEDDS was used to enhance skin permeation with improvement in the solubility of Cur. However, optimized Cur-SNEDDS showed significant wound healing activity as compared with pure eucalyptus oil and Cur-S on topical application. Optimized Cur-SNEDDS showed healing of wound as compared to standard fusidic acid. Optimized Cur-SNEDDS exhibited no signs of inflammatory cells on the histopathological studies of treated rats which were recommended the safety and non-toxicity of Cur-SNEDDS. Newly developed Cur-SNEDDS could be successfully used to enhance Cur-solubility and skin permeation, as well as suggested a potential role of Cur-SNEDDS for better improvement of wound healing activity followed by anti-inflammatory action of Cur via topical application.

Differential proteomics for studying action mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicines

Differential proteomics, which has been widely used in studying of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) during the past 10 years, is a powerful tool to visualize differentially expressed proteins and analyzes their functions. In this paper, the applications of differential proteomics in exploring the action mechanisms of TCMs on various diseases including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, liver diseases, kidney disorders and obesity, etc. were reviewed. Furthermore, differential proteomics in studying of TCMs identification, toxicity, processing and compatibility mechanisms were also included. This review will provide information for the further applications of differential proteomics in TCMs studies.

A Neutrophil Proteomic Signature in Surgical Trauma Wounds

Non-healing wounds continue to be a clinical challenge for patients and medical staff. These wounds have a heterogeneous etiology, including diabetes and surgical trauma wounds. It is therefore important to decipher molecular signatures that reflect the macroscopic process of wound healing. To this end, we collected wound sponge dressings routinely used in vacuum assisted therapy after surgical trauma to generate wound-derived protein profiles via global mass spectrometry. We confidently identified 311 proteins in exudates. Among them were expected targets belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily, complement, and skin-derived proteins, such as keratins. Next to several S100 proteins, chaperones, heat shock proteins, and immune modulators, the exudates presented a number of redox proteins as well as a discrete neutrophil proteomic signature, including for example cathepsin G, elastase, myeloperoxidase, CD66c, and lipocalin 2. We mapped over 200 post-translational modifications (PTMs; cysteine/methionine oxidation, tyrosine nitration, cysteine trioxidation) to the proteomic profile, for example, in peroxiredoxin 1. Investigating manually collected exudates, we confirmed presence of neutrophils and their products, such as microparticles and fragments containing myeloperoxidase and DNA. These data confirmed known and identified less known wound proteins and their PTMs, which may serve as resource for future studies on human wound healing.

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of the Effect of the Four-Herb Chinese Medicine ANBP on Promoting Mouse Skin Wound Healing

Traditional Chinese medicine has great potential to improve wound healing. ANBP, the mixture of 4 Chinese herbs- Agrimoniapilosa, Nelumbonucifera, Boswelliacarteri, and Pollen typhae-is effective in trauma treatment while its mechanism is still elusive. In this study, quantitative proteomics and bioinformatics analyses were performed to decipher the possible roles of ANBP in accelerated wound healing of mouse skin. Among all 3171 identified proteins, 90, 71, 80, and 140 proteins were found to be differently expressed in 6 hours, 3 days, 7 days, and 14 days ANBP-treated tissues compared with corresponding control tissues, respectively. The result showed that different biological processes and pathways were activated at different healing stages. At the early healing stage, ANBP treatment mainly affected several biological processes, including immune and defense response, vascular system restoration, hemostasis and coagulation regulation, lipid metabolism and signal transduction, while muscle tissue, hair, epidermis, extracellular matrix and tissue remodeling related activities were the major events in ANBP promoted later wound healing. This is the first quantitative proteome study of ANBP-treated wound tissues, which provide a new perspective for the mechanism of ANBP accelerated wound healing and is of guiding significance for clinical application of ANBP in trauma disorders cure.

Acetylshikonin from Zicao exerts antifertility effects at high dose in rats by suppressing the secretion of GTH

Zicao is being highlighted as a promising Chinese medicine due to all the beneficial effects that have been associated with its use. Unfortunately, studies on the toxicity of Zicao in different species are still missing and should be carried out. In this study, we investigated whether Acetylshikonin (AS) from Zicao has an anti-fertility effect through mating experiments and explored its underling mechanism. Sprague-Dawley rats received no treatment or were treated with 120, 360 or 1080 mg/kg AS extract by intragastric administration for 2 weeks. The rat pregnancy rate of the 1080 mg/kg dose group was significantly decreased relative to control group, while it recovered after a month of drug withdrawal, which indicated that the effect of antifertility is reversible. Serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in rat were significantly decreased by AS. The secretion of FSH in rat anterior pituitary cells was decreased but the synthesis was not affected. AS reduced the number of developing follicle and mature follicle in rat ovarian cortical. Maybe all of these resulted from AS decreased the expression of synaptotagmin-1 and SNAP-25 which were the critical proteins of exocytosis. Our data suggested that AS at high dose can suppress the ability of pregnancy of the rats through decreasing serum FSH and LH levels by affecting exocytosis process of gonadotropic hormone (GTH).

Exploratory, Phase II Controlled Trial of Shiunko Ointment Local Application Twice a Day for 4 Weeks in Ethiopian Patients with Localized Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

The clinical efficacy and safety of Shiunko ointment (phase II clinical trial) was investigated in 40 Ethiopian patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis. Patients were randomized to receive treatment with Shiunko ointment or placebo (n = 20, each), applied on the lesion twice a day for 4 weeks. Clinicoparasitological assessments were performed before treatment, weekly for 4 weeks, and then 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the end of treatment. A marked reduction in lesion size was observed on week 16 of treatment in the Shiunko compared with placebo group (69% and 22% reduction, resp.). The overall rate of lesion reduction during the four weeks of treatment was significantly faster in the Shiunko group. Shiunko provided significant effect on wound closure in patients with ulcerated lesion. The clinical efficacy and tolerability of Shiunko were comparable to placebo with regard to its clinicoparasitological response (cure rate and parasitological clearance). Results of this preliminary study may suggest that Shiunko could be useful as adjuvant or as complementary treatment, not as alternatives to current treatment. Its attractive action includes fast lesion healing with a significantly smaller lesion at week 16 of treatment compared with placebo. In addition, its action was promoted in ulcerative lesions.

Shikonin inhibits adipogenic differentiation via regulation of mir-34a-FKBP1B

Shikonin is a naturally occurring naphthoquinone pigment and a major constituent present in Lithospermum erythrorhizon. Since microRNAs (miRNAs) are one of the key post-transcriptional regulators of adipogenesis, their manipulation represents a potential new strategy to inhibit adipogenesis. Our aim was to investigate shikonin-dependent inhibition of adipogenesis with an emphasis on miRNA-related processes. Mir-34a increased during induced adipogenesis, and this was suppressed in the presence of shikonin. mRNA expression of FKBP1B, a suggested target of mir-34a according to bioinformatics studies, decreased during adipogenesis, but was recovered by shikonin treatment, which reversely correlated with mir-34a expression. A mir-34a inhibitor suppressed MDI-induced adipogenesis by blocking PPARγ and C/EBPα expression, while suppression of mir-34a recovered MDI-induced down-regulation of FKBP1B expression. A mir-34a mimic decreased FKBP1B mRNA expression in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. We also observed that mir-34a bound directly to the 3'-untranslated region of FKBP1B. Finally, FKBP1B overexpression attenuated MDI-induced adipogenesis, PPARγ, and C/EBPα expression. These results suggest that mir-34a regulates adipogenesis by targeting FKBP1B expression. Our findings reveal that shikonin prevents adipogenesis by blocking the mir-34a-FKBP1B pathway which represents a promising potential target for preventing obesity.

Recent Advance in Applications of Proteomics Technologies on Traditional Chinese Medicine Research

Proteomics technology, a major component of system biology, has gained comprehensive attention in the area of medical diagnosis, drug development, and mechanism research. On the holistic and systemic theory, proteomics has a convergence with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In this review, we discussed the applications of proteomic technologies in diseases-TCM syndrome combination researches. We also introduced the proteomic studies on the in vivo and in vitro effects and underlying mechanisms of TCM treatments using Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), Chinese herbal formula (CHF), and acupuncture. Furthermore, the combined studies of proteomics with other “-omics” technologies in TCM were also discussed. In summary, this report presents an overview of the recent advances in the application of proteomic technologies in TCM studies and sheds a light on the future global and further research on TCM.

Effect of co-administration of Angelicae gigantis radix and Lithospermi radix on rat hepatic injury induced by carbon tetrachloride

BACKGROUND

Co-administration of Angelicae gigantis radix (AGR) and Lithospermi radix (LR) has been commonly applied to patients to treat cardiac and hepatic disorders. Individual bioactivities of these herbal medicines have been widely investigated, but the hepatoprotective effects of co-treatment of AGR and LR have yet to be clarified.

OBJECTIVE

The present study investigated the protective effects of extracts of AGR and LR on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatic injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, we measured the hepatoprotective activity of individual and co-treatment of the two herbal medicines on hepatic injury induced by CCl4 by measuring different biochemical parameters such as serum aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) and serum alanine aminotransaminase (ALT). Microarray technology also used to compare ontological difference with individual and co-treatment of these two.

RESULTS

Combined treatment with AGR and LR (AGR + LR) decreased AST and ALT level in serum which demonstrate hepatoprotective effect of the therapy. When the effect of AGR and LR according to treatment conditions was measured, co-treatment showed the most prominent effect on hepatic injury by CCl4 rather than individual treatment condition. We further defined gene set that could be the molecular target of herbal effect on hepatic injury by CCl4 using bioinformatical analysis of interaction network. Highly recovered genes by treating AGR + LR play significant roles in response to hepatic injury induced by CCl4.

CONCLUSION

Combined treatment with AGR and LR showed synergistic protective effects on the CCl4-induced rat hepatic tissue injury.

A Study of the Effect of Shiunko, a Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, on Fibroblasts and Its Implication on Wound Healing Processes

SIGNIFICANCE

In China, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used for thousands of years for various acute and chronic wound care. Thus, there is a growing need to explore the possible benefits of TCM on wound healing.

RECENT ADVANCES

Nowadays, in China and some Asian countries including Korea, Japan, and Singapore, Chinese herbal therapy is used as an alternative treatment in wound care. Therefore, exploration of the possible benefits of TCM on wound healing is necessary.

CRITICAL ISSUES

Development of TCM is based on the concept of Yin (negative phenomenon of nature) and Yang (positive phenomenon of nature). These opposing and complementary natural phenomena of the universe restore the normal physiological functions, consequently curing diseases and restoring health of a patient.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Due to lack of evidence-based research, TCM treatments are not widely accepted in the western world. Using state-of-the-art technology such as proteomics, bioinformatics, and biomolecular techniques, research studies may lead to more effective remedies for wound care in the future.