Topical application of Sadat-Habdan mesenchymal stimulating peptide (SHMSP) accelerates wound healing in diabetic rabbits

Topical Cream Derived From Hylocereus polyrhizus (Red Dragon Fruit) Extract Accelerates Wound Healing Through Increased Hydroxyproline and Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 Levels: A Pilot Study

The red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) extract (RDFE) is frequently used for a variety of therapeutic purposes (e.g., boosting the immune system, promoting a healthy gastrointestinal system, improving wound healing). We investigated the effects of a topical cream containing 7.5% RDFE on hydroxyproline and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) levels and wound healing. On Day 0, we divided a total of 36 albino male Wistar rats into two equal groups. Using an 8-mm punch biopsy, we created a circular excision to fascial depth on the back of each rat. On Day 1, we treated the control group (n = 18) with 20 mg of base cream and the RDFE group (n = 18) with 20 mg of 7.5% RDFE cream. We measured hydroxyproline and FGF-2 levels in the wound tissue using an ELISA method on Days 3, 7, and 14. We found that on Day 3, hydroxyproline levels were significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group (p = .031). We also found a significant correlation between FGF-2 levels in the treatment group and wound diameter (p = .02). On the basis of the results of this study, we concluded that using a topical cream containing 7.5% RDFE has the potential to accelerate wound healing by increasing levels of hydroxyproline and FGF-2 in the wound.

The effect of bone growth factor in the tendon to bone healing in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: An experimental study in rabbits

BACKGROUND

Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) involves use of semintendinosis and gracilis tendons graft that is transplanted into bone tunnels at the femoral and tibial insertion sites and the sites and the bone tendon interface is a weak link in the early healing period due to slow rate of healing. We hypothesized that an addition of bone growth factor like Sadat-Habdan mesenchymal stimulating peptide (SHMSP) could enhance bone tendon healing rate so that re-rupture of the tendon does not take place.

METHODOLOGY

Twenty skeletally mature rabbits underwent ACL reconstruction of the right knee. In 10 of the rabbits at the site of the tendon-graft 5 mg/kg body weight of SHMSP was put in the bone tunnel. In 10 other animals, nothing was added. At eight and 12 weeks 5 animals from each group were sacrificed. The tendon-graft site was harvested and sent for histopathological examination to assess the healing at the tendon-bone graft to the tibial tunnel.

RESULTS

There were no deaths in both the groups. One rabbit of the control group developed an infection. In all the animals of the study group from 4 weeks onward showed bone formation, wherein the control group only granulation tissue was observed. By 8 weeks in the study group, the canal was totally obliterated with the new bone formation which extended onto the periosteal area. In the control, there was minimal change in the formation of the new bone formation.

CONCLUSION

Addition of a growth factor like SHMSP would enhance the osteo-integration of the tendon-graft in the bony tunnel after ACL reconstruction in vivo.

Assessment of Pharmacokinetics and Toxicology of Sadat-Habdan Mesenchymal Stimulating Peptide (SHMSP) in Rats and Goats

BACKGROUND

Sadat-Habdan Mesenchymal Stimulating Peptide (SHMSP) was discovered and patented with USPTO in 2008. Studies have shown that SHMSP works as an angiogenesis factor. This study was done to evaluate pharmacokinetics (PK) in rats and toxicology studies in goats and rats.

METHODS

In 80 skeletally mature Sprague Dawley rats 5 milligram/kg body weight of SHMSP was injected intramuscularly. Blood samples were collected at 0, 30, 60, 120, 240, 320 minutes and 480 minutes. The plasma calibration curves were prepared at concentrations of 6.25, 3.12, 1.56, 0.78 and 0.39 ng/mL by spiking 190 µL of rat plasma with 10µL of working standard and 200 µL of deionized water. Samples were vortexed for five seconds, centrifuged at 14000 rpm for 30 minutes at 4°C and the supernatant was collected analyzed using High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). After injection of 20 µL sample, the peptide was eluted with 15ml linear gradient up to 36% of eluent A. The time between injections was 25 min. and the eluent was monitored at a wavelength of 215 nm. The concentration of peptide present in the rat plasma samples collected at different time intervals were quantified using standard curve method. The goats were injected deep intramuscularly 100 mg/kg-body weight of the SHMSP dissolved in injection solution. In 10 Sprague Dawley rats of ≥250 grams of weight, 20 mg/kg/day SHMSP was injected for 7 consecutive days. All the animals were kept at a close watch. Clinical observation at least once daily and as necessary was undertaken. After 2 weeks animals were euthanized and major organs were harvested and histopathology samples were obtained and processed.

RESULTS

There were no deaths is either of the study and control group of animals. The gross observations of the various organs appeared normal and histopathological studies did not show any toxicity in the organs tested.  The plasma concentration-time profile of SHMSP after intramuscular injection, the level of SHMSP in an initial high phase reaching the highest at 30 minutes 2.3184 ng/ml and 60 minutes 1.7447 ng/ml at 60 minutes. The lowest level was at 360 minutes of 0.0879 ng/ml.

CONCLUSIONS

The dose of SHMSP at 20 times the recommended dose was not toxic and secondly the peak time and level was at 30 minutes to 120 minutes and the plasma half-life of SHMSP was 90 minutes.