Caffeic acid phenethyl ester accelerates cutaneous wound healing in a rat model and decreases oxidative stress

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous injury causes a depression in antioxidant status, as reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced in response to injury.

AIM

To determine the effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, on wound healing in rats.

METHODS

In total, 40 male rats were divided into two groups: one group treated with CAPE (n = 20) and a second untreated control group (n = 20). A linear full-thickness incision was performed on the back of each rat and sutured. After incision, CAPE was given to the treatment group and saline to the control group. On days 1, 3, 7 and 14, five animals in each group were killed, and wound tissues dissected for biochemical and histopathological analysis.

RESULTS

Wound tissues showed a significant increase in glutathione and nitric oxide levels, and a significant decrease in malondialdehyde levels and superoxide dismutase levels in the CAPE group compared with the control group. Histopathology of the wound tissues displayed rapid epithelium development in the CAPE group compared with the control group.

CONCLUSION

This study has demonstrated that CAPE partly accelerates full-thickness wound healing by its antioxidant and ROS-scavenging capabilities.

Short term cyclosporin A treatment of Behçet's disease

Eleven separate three-month courses of cyclosporin A, an oral solution 10 mg/kg/day, were administered to eight patients with Behçet's disease with sight-threatening posterior uveitis. It was found to be effective in arresting the inflammatory activity in the eye as well as the mucocutaneous lesions of Behçet's disease. Improvement in visual acuity was observed within one week of starting therapy. Severe exacerbations in the ocular and mucocutaneous lesions occurred on withdrawal of the drug. At this dosage side effects included hirsutism in all women, and a slight rise of serum bilirubins in two patients and of blood urea in one patient. The latter two conditions responded rapidly to dose adjustment.