Skip to main content

Topical application of Acheflan on rat skin injury accelerates wound healing: a histopathological, immunohistochemical and biochemical study

Abstract

Background

Dermal wound healing involves a cascade of complex events including angiogenesis and extracellular matrix remodeling. Several groups have focused in the study of the skin wound healing activity of natural products. The phytomedicine AcheflanĀ®, and its main active constituent is the oil from Cordia verbenacea which has known anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antimicrobial activities. To our knowledge, no investigation has evaluated the effect of AcheflanĀ® in an experimental model of skin wound healing.

The present study has explored the wound healing property of AcheflanĀ® and has compared it with topical effectiveness of collagenase and fibrinolysin by using Wistar rat cutaneous excision wound model.

Methods

Animals were divided into four groups: untreated animals are negative control (NC), wounds were treated topically every day with Collagenase ointment (TC), with Fibrinolysin ointment (TF) and with cream Acheflan (TAc). Skin samples were collected on zero, 8th and 15th days after wounding. The healing was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE), picrosirius red, hydoxyproline content and immunohistochemical analysis of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9). Statistical analysis was done by ANOVA and Student t-test (pā€‰<ā€‰0.05).

Results

The histological analysis HE of wound in the TAc group was more efficient because it was possible to observe the complete remodeling of the epidermis indicating the regression of lesions compared with the NC. The evaluation of picrosirius staining has demonstrated a significant increase of collagen distribution in the TC and TAc treatments compared with NC and TF groups. These results are corroborated with hydroxyproline content. Skin TC and TAc treated rats have showed an increase of VEGF and MMP-9 compared with NC and TF groups. All parameters were significant (Pā€‰<ā€‰0.05).

Conclusion

The phytomedicine AcheflanĀ® (oil of Cordia verbenacea) and TC possess higher therapeutic properties for wound healing compared with TF. These ointments seem to accelerate wound healing, probably due to their involvement with the increase of angiogenesis and dermal remodeling.

Peer Review reports

Background

Dermal wound healing is a physiological process involving several overlapping stages that could include inflammation, formation of granulation tissue, reepithelialization, extracellular matrix (ECM) formation and remodeling. Loss of skin integrity through trauma, injury and chronic ulcerations may result in homeostasis imbalance and in significant failure [1]. Wounds are major concerns for the medical staff and seriously reduce the quality of life of the patient. Furthermore, skin wound is a public health problem with high cost and ineffective treatment [2]. Thus, the attempt to quickly close the skin lesions with ideal functional and aesthetic results would be the goal of clinical treatment [3].

Nowadays, there has been extensive scientific interest in pharmacological evaluation on the biological properties of phytotherapeutics products [4, 5]. In addition, several studies have focused in evaluating the wound healing activity of medicinal plants, such as Cleome viscose [6], Crotalus adamanteus [7], Blumea balsamifera [8], Salvia miltiorrhiza [9], Bacopa monniera [10], Vitis Vinifera [11] and Morinda citrifolia [12]. Using an excision wound model in rat, Nayak and colleagues described that extract of Punica granatum promotes faster wound healing from hydroxyproline analysis and histological studies [13]. In this way, experimental models have been developed and have significant improved our knowledge of wound repair because they can be easily accessed to test the efficacy of different treatments [14, 15].

Cordia verbenacea is a Brazilian plant used to producing a phytomedicine, which is the main active constituent of the product AcheflanĀ® developed in Brazil and approved by ANVISA (AgĆŖncia Nacional de VigilĆ¢ncia SanitĆ”ria) in 2004 for the management of trauma, tendinopathy and myofacial pain [4]. In Brazil, the companies need to prove the safety efficacy, quality and safety based on scientific information of phytomedicines because they are registered as drugs [16]. Previous phytochemical study performed with C. verbenacea had demonstrated the main constituents of the essential oil identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) (30Ā % of Ī±-pinene, 25Ā % of trans-caryophyllene, 10Ā % of aloaromadendrene and 5Ā % of Ī±-humulene) [17]. In addition, Chaves and colleagues [18] quantified by GC-MS the main active constituent isolated from AcheflanĀ®, the Ī±-humulene, and 30Ā min after topical administration of AcheflanĀ®, the amount of Ī±-humulene absorbed in the ear of the mice was about 2Ā Ī¼g/ear. Furthermore, it has been previously reported that the C. verbenacea has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antimicrobial activity [18ā€“24] and low toxicity [19].

To our knowledge, no investigation has evaluated the effect of AcheflanĀ® in skin injury and our hypothesis was that its use may accelerate the stages of wound healing process. Thus, the purpose of this in vivo study was to evaluate topical effectiveness of AcheflanĀ® on tissue formation, reepithelialization, angiogenesis and, collagen deposition under cutaneous injury and compared with traditional agents (collagenase and fibrinolysin).

Methods

Experimental animal model

Spragueā€“Dawley rats were used in the accomplishment of the full-thickness excisional wound model using the method described by [25]. 8Ā weeks old animals and each weighing 250ā€“300Ā g were housed individually in individual polyethylene cages, and were kept at a constant temperature (25Ā Ā°C) under a 12-h light/dark cycle with free access to food and water in the Bioterium of Universidade Estadual da Zona Oeste ā€“ UEZO (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). The experimental procedure was approved by the UEZO Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (CEUA), protocol code CEUA-UEZO-002/2013, and all experiments were conducted in performed with the ethical guidelines from the CEUA.

After the induction of general anesthesia with intraperitoneal ketamine (90Ā mg/kg) and xylazine (10Ā mg/kg), the ratsā€™ dorsal regions were shaved and cleaned with ethanol 70Ā %. The circular full-thickness excision wound was made with a biopsy punch of 20Ā mm in diameter. The wound was left undressed to the open environment.

Phytomedicine

AcheflanĀ® is a phytomedicine developed in Brazil approved by the local authority ANVISA, Brazilian FDA-like agency, at 2004. This product is a topical drug for the management of trauma, tendinopathy and myofacial pain developed from the Brazilian medicinal plant Cordia verbenacea DC (Boraginaceae). AcheflanĀ® cream (TAc) containing 0.5Ā % of C. verbenacea essential oil and 2.5Ā % of Ī±-humulene provided by AchĆ© Laboratory, Brazil.

Wound model and topical treatment

Immediately after surgical excision the rats were randomly divided into four groups of each six animals: untreated animals are negative control (NC), wounds daily treated topically with Collagenase ointment (TC), wounds daily treated topically with Fibrinolysin (1 U fibrinolysin, 666 U DNAse and 10Ā mg chloramphenicol) ointment (TF) and wounds daily treated topically with phytomedicine cream TAc. The rats were euthanized with overdose of anesthesia at 8 and 15Ā days after wounding. The skin wound samples were collected in each time point: zero (nā€‰=ā€‰6), 8Ā days (nā€‰=ā€‰3) and 15Ā days (nā€‰=ā€‰3). The granulation tissue formed on the injury was excised leaving a 5Ā mm margin of normal skin for histopathological assessment and determination of hydroyproline.

Histopathologic analysis

The full thickness wound tissues, including the adjacent skin, were fixed immediately in formalin, paraffin-embedded and cut into 4-Ī¼m-thick sections. Part of the sections were stained with Harris hematoxylin and eosin (HE), and examined microscopically by two blinded observers using a 40Ɨ objective lens of a light microscope (Nikon, Tokyo, Japan) connected to a digital camera (Coolpix 990; Nikon). To estimate the degrees of wound healing a histological score was used to determine the dermal and epidermal regeneration and granulation tissue formation, as described by Kim and colleagues [26]. Additional sections were stained with Picrosirius red for observation of collagen fibers distribution through the calculus of the percentage of the marked area in reddish-yellow by field by using the Image Pro Plus 4.5.1 (Media Cybernetics, Silver Spring, MD).

Immunohistochemistry and morphometric evaluation

The other paraffin-embedded tissue sections were placed on silane-treated slides, and maintained at room temperature. After dewaxing, the sections were treated with a solution of 3Ā % H2O2 in 0.01Ā mol/L phosphatebuffer saline (PBS), pHĀ 7.5, to inhibit endogenous peroxidase activity. The slides were then immersed in 10Ā nmol/L citrate buffer (pHĀ 6.0) and heated in a microwave oven for 5Ā min to retrieve masked antigens, to reduce nonspecific antibody binding; the sections were then incubated with PBS containing a 10Ā % solution of normal goat serum and 5Ā % bovine serum albumin for 30Ā min. Sections were incubated with the following antibodies: monoclonal antibody against VEGF SC-7269 (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Santa Cruz, CA) at 1:100 dilution and polyclonal antibody against MMP-9 SC-6840 (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Santa Cruz, CA) at 1:200 dilution. Incubations were carried out overnight and then revealed using LSAB2 Kit HRP, rat (Dako-Cytomation, Carpinteria, CA) with diaminobenzidine (3,3ā€™-diaminobenzidine tablets; Sigma, St. Louis, MO) as the chromogen and counterstained with hematoxylin. For each case, negative control slides consisted of sections incubated with antibody vehicle or no immune rabbit or mouse serum. Ten fields of an immunostained section (VEGF and MMP-9) were chosen at random and captured from each specimen. Quantification was assessed on captured highquality images (2048ā€‰Ć—ā€‰1536Ā pixels buffer) using the Image Pro Plus 4.5.1 (Media Cybernetics, Silver Spring, MD). Data were stored in Adobe Photoshop, version 3.0, to enable uneven illumination and background color to be corrected. Histologic scores (H) for VEGF and MMP-9 were calculated using the formula Hā€‰=ā€‰Ī£Pi, where i is the intensity ranging from 0 (negative cells) to 3 (deeply staining cells) and P is the percentage of staining cells for each given i, with P values of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 indicating <15Ā %, 15ā€“50Ā %, 50ā€“85Ā %, >85Ā %, and 100Ā % positive-staining cells, respectively. The staining result was expressed as meanā€‰Ā± standard deviations.

Biochemical analyses of the newly formed skins

The hydroxyproline, the basic constituent of collagen, was taken as a marker of collagen synthesis. The granulation tissue from control and treated groups was dried at 60ā€“70Ā Ā°C for 24Ā h and weighed to determine the dry granulation tissue weight. Pieces of dried tissue were hydrolysed in 6Ā N HCl at 120Ā Ā°C for 18Ā h in sealed tubes. The hydrolyzed samples were adjusted to pHĀ 7.0 and were subjected to chloramines-T oxidation for 20Ā min. The reaction was terminated by addition of 3.15Ā M perchloric acid and para-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde at 60Ā Ā°C to develop a pink color [27]. Absorbance was measured at 557Ā nm using a spectrophotometer. The procedure was done in triplicate for all samples, in each time point (zero, 8 and 15Ā days) and the hydroxyproline content was determined against a standard curve of hydroxyproline.

Statistical analysis

One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out to identify the differences between treated groups and controls. Statistical comparisons between variables were performed with Student t-test. The level of significance for significant difference between groups was set at P <0.05 in all analyses.

Results

Histologic wound scoring was conducted in a blinded fashion using the dermal and epidermal regeneration and the granulation tissue thickness, as described by Kim and colleagues [26]. In both observations, the histological analysis of wound in the treated groups at days 8 and 15 showed that wounds displayed better epithelialization and more effective re-organization of the dermis when compared with the control group (Fig.Ā 1). When compared between the treated groups, the TAc was more efficient because it was possible to observe that the complete remodeling of epidermis indicated the regression of the lesions.

Fig. 1
figure 1

The histological evaluation of the skin flaps revealed by HE coloration (10x). Microscopic examination of TC and TAc groups indicated regression of the lesions with better epithelialization (arrows) and more effective re-organization of the dermis (arrowhead) compared to the NC and TF on 8th and 15th days after injury

The evaluation of picrosirius staining demonstrated a significant increase of collagen distribution in the TC and TAc treatments compared with NC and TF groups. Already on day 8, it was possible to observe the intense reddish-yellow coloration of the collagen on TC and TAc, indicates that especially these treatments have contributed to the greater synthesis of these fibers (Fig.Ā 2). These observations were confirmed by the percentage of area occupied by collagen fibers in each cut (TableĀ 1).

Fig. 2
figure 2

The evaluation of Picrosirius staining was made to recognize the total density of collagen. In each cut we analyzed the percentage of area occupied by collagen fibers (reddish-yellow). The distribution of collagen was more intense mainly in TC and TAc groups (arrowhead) on 8th and 15th days after injury

Table 1 Histologic scores of collagen fibers, VEGF and MMP-9 in studied groups

Similar results were shown on biochemical analysis of hydroxyproline levels, the basic constituent of collagen. In the TC and TAc, the hydroxyproline content of dry granulation tissue was significantly higher compared with NC and TF on day 8 (TableĀ 2). These results suggest that TC and TAc have strong wound healing potential.

Table 2 Hydroxyproline levels in wound areas of the all treatment groups

The distribution of VEGF, which is one of the most prominent angiogenic markers, was detected focally on the dermis in both control and treated groups (Fig.Ā 3). On day 8, the immunoreactivity was higher again in TC and TAc and it was almost similar in the other groups. On the day 15, the distribution of VEGF was reduced in all treated groups, but in TC and TAc there are less reduction, while a low expression was seen in the NC. The histologic scores of VEGF were statistically higher in TC and TAc, as shown by the morphometry evaluation (TableĀ 1).

Fig. 3
figure 3

Photomicrograph from immunostained with an antibody against VEGF in control and treated groups. The dermis in both groups exhibits positive VEGF immunostaining (arrows); in TC and TAc the immunoreaction is higher, especially in day 8 (arrowheads)

The MMP-9 immunodistribution was similar to that of VEGF, but was more intense in TC on day 8 (Fig.Ā 4). At this time, the reactivity of the MMP-9 was very increased in TC, which strong labeling in all the tissue. As observed in the VEGF study, the distribution of MMP-9 was reduced on the day 15, and no differences were observed among the treated groups. Comparing the different groups, MMP-9 histologic scores were higher, particularly in TC on day 8 (TableĀ 1).

Fig. 4
figure 4

Immunohistochemical staining with MMP-9 in control and treated groups. The pattern of distribution of the MMP-9 staining is similar as with the VEGF study, but antiā€“MMP-9 antibody immunoreactivity was more intense in TC on day 8 (arrows); on the day 15, the immunoreactions were reduced and no differences were observed among the treated groups (arrowheads)

Discussion

In this study we propose for the first time that AcheflanĀ® possess higher therapeutic properties for wound healing compared with TF and the effect was similar to TC. We have demonstrated a better tissue formation and reepithelialization, an increased distribution of collagen deposition and significantly enhanced angiogenic marker in the cutaneous injuries treated with TC and AcheflanĀ®.

Skin wound healing is a complex physiological process that involves multiple tissue and cell types, and usually the wound progresses toward homeostasis through steps involving inflammation, new tissue formation, and tissue remodeling [28]. However, cutaneous wound healing is a major interest for the public health sector because the skin wounds affect a large number of patients, seriously reducing their quality of life, requiring extended hospitalization time, and accounts for a significant amount of healthcare expenditures. Furthermore, the scientific information about the potential effect of topical agents on skin wound healing is limited [29]. Natural products have consistently been an important source of therapeutic agents, therefore, we have evaluated and compared topical effectiveness of collagenase and fibrinolysin with phytomedicine AcheflanĀ® on cutaneous injury.

Proteolytic enzymes have been used for wound debridement for many years and the two most widely used enzymes in the world are fibrinolysin/DNAse and collagenase [30ā€“33]. The collagenases, an enzymatic debriding agent, act by degrading native helical collagen fibrils [34]. Recently, Tallis and colleagues [33] showed that collagenase ointment is tolerable and clinically effective in achieving the removal of nonviable tissue in the preparation of a healthy wound bed. In addition, a study on infected accidental or surgical wounds, debridement using fibrinolysin/ DNAse was reportedly effective [35].

The main active constituent from the phytomedicine AcheflanĀ® is the oil from C. verbenacea, and its topical anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties have already been reported [18, 20, 23, 24]. AcheflanĀ® was approved by ANVISA in Brazil for the management of tendinopathy, myofacial pain and trauma [4]. As far as we know, the present work is the first study to focus on the effect of AcheflanĀ® in wound-healing model, and we have showed that this phytomedicine had a role in the early wound healing processes. This effect displayed may be attributed to the compounds isolated from C. verbenacea, sesquiterpene Ī±-humulene, which has revealed important anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties [18, 20, 23, 24]. In addition, previous data with AcheflanĀ® cream showed that the Ī±-humulene is completely and fast absorbed when applied topically [18].

Collagen has a well-established function in early wound healing, and is the main component which strengthens and supports extra cellular tissue, it is composed of amino acid, hydroxyproline, which has been used as a biochemical marker for tissue collagen [36, 37]. During the proliferative phase, type III collagen is secreted by migrating and proliferating fibroblasts, in and around the wound, and this collagen is essential for creating the provisional matrix during this phase. Type I collagen is also vital during the maturation period and the most prevalent collagen in uninjured skin [38]. AcheflanĀ® has demonstrated a significant increase in the hydroxyproline content and collagen distribution of the granulation tissue after 8Ā days of injury indicating increased collagen turnover. Similar results were reported with increase hydroxyproline content around 2 times using excision wound model in rats treated with extract of Punica granatum [13], Vitis vinifera and Vaccinium macrocarpon [39], Allamanda cathartica [40], Ixora coccinea [41] and Cleome viscose [6].

We used the immunohistochemical technique to observe the angiogenesis process through VEGF marking in our experimental model. The VEGF is an angiogenic peptide produced by endothelial cells, macrophages, and many other cells, being an excellent marker for endothelial cells [42]. In the present study, the TC and AcheflanĀ® exhibited the most intense distribution of VEGF in day 8th, indicating that this factor is mainly stimulated in the early period of wound healing. This is in agreement with the findings that many processes are involved in the early period of wound healing and require action of many factors to facilitate cell movement, granulation tissue formation and angiogenesis [43ā€“45].

On the other hand, changes in the ECM associated with disease states may arrest progression of the sequence of stages, critical for wound healing. Exorbitant production of a collagenous matrix can be also questionable, resulting in cutaneous scarring that produce esthetic problem, functional damage, and discomfort [46]. In our study there is an interesting difference between MMP-9 distribution in TC and AcheflanĀ® on day 8, with distribution in TC group extensively higher. We know that MMP-9 have important function in the angiogenesis process in dermal remodeling, but exacerbated levels seem to be negatively implicated in the tissue degradation. In the same way, Kurtz and Oh [47] also demonstrated that the aberrant ECM expression may provide to pathologic wound responses.

We should consider that human skin differs from rat skin, and the important difference is that human skin heals preferentially by re-epithelialisation, while rat skin heals mainly by wound contraction [14]. We acknowledge the limitations for translational relevance of our experimental study; however, skin lesions in animal models are pertinent because provide significant contributions to advances in the treatment of skin wounds. Despite the limitations of the experimental model, we have showed higher topical effectiveness of AcheflanĀ® on tissue formation, reepithelialization, angiogenesis, collagen deposition under cutaneous injury compared with TF.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our findings have demonstrated that AcheflanĀ® accelerates wound healing in skin rat model, probably due to its involvement with the increase angiogenesis and dermal remodeling.

Abbreviations

CEUA:

Institutional Animal Care Committee

DNAse:

Desoxirribbonuclease

ECM:

Extracellular matrix

GC-MS:

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

H:

Histologic scores

HE:

Hematoxylin-eosin

MMP-9:

Matrix metalloprotease-9

NC:

Negative control

PBS:

Phosphatebuffer saline

TC:

Collagenase ointment

TF:

Fibrinolysin ointment

TAc:

Cream Acheflan

UEZO:

University State of West Zone

VEGF:

Vascular endothelial growth factor

References

  1. Shaw TJ, Martin P. Wound repair at a glance. J Cell Sci. 2009;122:3209ā€“13.

    CASĀ  PubMedĀ  PubMed CentralĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  2. Singh A, Halder S, Menon GR, Chumber S,Ā Misra MC,Ā Sharma LK, et al. Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on hydrocolloid occlusive dressings versus conventional gauze in healing chronic wounds. Asian J Surg. 2004;27:326ā€“32.

    PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  3. Singer AJ, Dagum AB. Current management of acute cutaneous wounds. N Engl J Med. 2008;359:1037ā€“46.

    CASĀ  PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  4. Calixto JB. Twenty-five years of research on medicinal plants in Latin America: a personal view. J Ethnopharmacol. 2005;100:131ā€“4.

    PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  5. Balbani AP, Silva DH, Montovani JC. Patents of drugs extracted from Brazilian medicinal plants. Expert Opin Ther Pat. 2009;19:461ā€“73.

    CASĀ  PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  6. Upadhyay A, Chattopadhyay P, Goyary D, Mazumder PM, Veer V. Topical application of Cleome viscosa increases the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor and type III collagen in rat cutaneous wound. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:1ā€“7.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  7. Samy RP, Kandasamy M, Gopalakrishnakone P, Stiles BG, Rowan EG, Becker D, et al. Wound healing activity and mechanisms of action of an antibacterial protein from the Venom of the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus). Plos One. 2014;9:1ā€“16.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  8. Pang Y, Wang D, Fan Z, Chen X, Yu F, Hu X, et al. Blumea balsamiferaā€”a phytochemical and pharmacological review. Molecules. 2014;19:9453ā€“77.

    PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  9. Zhang ZR, Li JH, Li S, Liu AL, Hoi PM, Tian HY, et al. In vivo angiogenesis screening and mechanism of action of novel tanshinone derivatives produced by one-pot combinatorial modification of natural tanshinone mixture from Salvia miltiorrhiza. Plos One. 2014;9:1ā€“15.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  10. Murthy S, Gautam MK, Goel S, Purohit V, Sharma H, Goel RK. Evaluation of in vivo wound healing activity of Bacopa monniera on different wound model in rats. Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013:1ā€“9.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  11. Nayak SB, Ramdath DD, Marshall JR, Isitor GN, Eversley M, Xue S, et al. Wound-healing activity of the skin of the common grape (Vitis Vinefera) variant, Cabernet Sauvignon. Phytother Res. 2010;24:1151ā€“7.

    CASĀ  PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  12. Nayak SB, Sandiford S, Maxwell A. Evaluation of the wound-healing activity of ethanolic extract of Morinda citrifolia L. Leaf. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2009;6:351ā€“6.

    PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  13. Nayak SB, Rodrigues V, Maharaj S, Bhogadi VS. Wound healing activity of the fruit skin of Punica granatum. J Med Food. 2013;16:857ā€“61.

    PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  14. Wong VW, Sorkin M, Glotzbach JP, Longaker MT, Gurtner GC. Surgical approaches to create murine models of human wound healing. J Biomed Biotechnol. 2011;2011:1ā€“8.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  15. Dorsett-Martin WA. Rat models of skin wound healing: a review. Wound Repair Regen. 2004;12:591ā€“9.

    PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  16. Calixto JB. Efficacy, safety, quality control, marketing and regulatory guidelines for herbal medicines (phytotherapeutic agents). Braz J Med Biol Res. 2000;33:179ā€“89.

    CASĀ  PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  17. de Carvalho PMJR, Rodrigues RF, Sawaya AC, Marques MO, Shimizu MT. Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Cordiaverbenacea D.C. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004;95:297ā€“301.

    CASĀ  PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  18. Chaves JS, Leal PC, Pianowisky L, Calixto JB. Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of the sesquiterpene alpha-humulene in mice. Planta Medica 2008;74:1678ā€“83.

    CASĀ  PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  19. SertiĆ© JA, Woisky RG, Wiezel G, Rodrigues M. Pharmacological assay of Cordia verbenacea V: oral and topical anti inflammatory activity, analgesic effect and fetus toxicity of a crude leaf extract. Phytomedicine 2005;12:338ā€“4.

    PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  20. Medeiros R, Passos GF, Vitor CE, Koepp J, Mazzuco TL, Pianowiski LF, Campos MM, Calixto JB: Effect of two active compounds obtained from the essential oil of Cordia verbenacea on the acute inflammatory responses elicited by LPS in the rat paw. British Journal of Pharmacology 2007;151:618ā€“27.

    CASĀ  PubMedĀ  PubMed CentralĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  21. Matias EFF, Alves EF, Santos BS, Souza CES, Ferreira JVA, Lavor AKLS, et al. Biological activities and chemical characterization of Cordia verbenacea DC. as tool to validate the ethnobiological usage. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:1ā€“7.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  22. Pimentel SP, Barrella GE, Casarin RCV, Cirano FR. Protective effect of topical Cordia verbenacea in a rat periodontitis model: immune-inflammatory, antibacterial and morphometric assays. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2012;12:224.

    PubMedĀ  PubMed CentralĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  23. Passos GF, Fernandes ES, da Cunha FM, Ferreira J, Pianowski LF, Campos MM, et al. Anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties of the essential oil and active compounds from Cordia verbenacea. J Ethnopharmacol. 2007;110:323ā€“33.

    CASĀ  PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  24. Fernandes ES, Passos GF, Medeiros R, da Cunha FM, Ferreira J, Campos MM, et al. Anti-inflammatory effects of compounds alpha-humulene and (āˆ’)-trans-caryophyllene isolated from the essential oil of Cordia verbenacea. Eur J Pharmacol. 2007;569:228ā€“36.

    CASĀ  PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  25. Morton JJP, Malone MH. Evaluation of vulnerary activity by an open wound procedure in rats. Arch Int Pharmacodyn. 1972;196:117ā€“9.

    CASĀ  PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  26. Kim SW, Zhang HZ, Guo L, Kim JM, Kim MH. Amniotic mesenchymal stem cells enhance wound healing in diabetic NOD/SCID mice through high angiogenic and engraftment capabilities. Plos One. 2012;7:1ā€“11.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  27. Woessner JFJ. The determination of hydroxyproline in tissue and protein samples containing small proportions of this imino acid. Arch Biochem Biophys. 1961;93:440ā€“7.

    CASĀ  PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  28. Gurtner GC, Werner S, Barrandon Y, Longaker MT. Wound repair and regeneration. Nature. 2008;453:314ā€“21.

    CASĀ  PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  29. Rizzi SC, Upton Z, Bott K, Dargaville TR. Recent advances in dermal wound healing: biomedical device approaches. Expert Rev Med Devices. 2010;7:143ā€“54.

    CASĀ  PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  30. Peter FW, Li-Peuser H, Vogt PM, Muehlberger T, Homann HH, Steinau HU. The effect of wound ointments on tissue microcirculation and leucocyte behaviour. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2002;27:51ā€“5.

    CASĀ  PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  31. Marazzi M, Stefani A, Chiaratti A, Ordanini MN, Falcone L, Rapisarda V. Effect of enzymatic debridement with collagenase on acute and chronic hard-to-heal wounds. Journal Wound Care. 2006;15:222ā€“7.

    CASĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  32. Ostlie DJ, Juang D, Aquayo P, Pettiford-Cunningham JP, Erkmann EA, Rash DE, et al. Topical silver sulfadiazine vs collagenase ointment for the treatment of partial thickness burns in children: a prospective randomized trial. J Pediatr Surg. 2012;47:1204ā€“7.

    PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  33. Tallis A, Motley TA, Wunderlich RP, Dickerson Jr JE, Waycaster C, Slade HB, et al. Clinical and economic assessment of diabetic foot ulcer debridement with collagenase: results of a randomized controlled study. Clin Ther. 2013;35:1805ā€“20.

    PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  34. Mekkes JR,Ā Zeegelaar JE,Ā Westerhof W. Quantitative and objective evaluation of wound debriding properties of collagenase and fibrinolysin/desoxyribonuclease in a necrotic ulcer animal model. Arch Dermatol ResĀ 1998;290:152ā€“7.

  35. Schwarz N. Enzymatic wound debridement with a combination of fibrinolysin and deoxyribonuclease. Fortschr Med. 1981;99:978ā€“80.

    CASĀ  PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  36. Long KB, Burgwin CM, Huneke R, Artlett CM, Blankenhorn EP. Tight skin 2 mice exhibit delayed wound healing caused by increased elastic fibers in fibrotic skin. Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle). 2014;3:573ā€“81.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  37. El-Mesallamy HO, Diab MR, Hamdy NM, Dardir SM. Cell-based regenerative strategies for treatment of diabetic skin wounds, a comparative study between human umbilical cord blood-mononuclear cells and calvesā€™ blood haemodialysate. Plos One. 2014;9:1ā€“10.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  38. Broughton 2nd G, Janis JE, Attinger CE. The basic science of wound healing. Plastic Reconstr Surg. 2006;117(7 Suppl):12Sā€“34S.

    CASĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  39. Nayak SB, Ramdath DD, Marshall JR, Isitor G, Xue S, Shi J. Wound-healing properties of the oils of Vitis vinifera and Vaccinium macrocarpon. Phytother Res. 2011;25:1201ā€“8.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  40. Nayak SB, Nalabothu P, Sandiford S, Bhogadi V, Adogwa A. Evaluation of wound healing activity of Allamanda cathartica. L. and Laurus nobilis. L. extracts on rats. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2006;6:12.

    PubMedĀ  PubMed CentralĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  41. Upadhyay A, Chattopadhyay P, Goyary D, Mazumder PM, Veer V. Ixora coccinea enhances cutaneous wound healing by upregulating the expression of collagen and basic fibroblast growth factor. ISRN Pharmacol. 2014;2014:751824.

    PubMedĀ  PubMed CentralĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  42. Soyer T, Ayva S, Aliefendioğlu D, Aktuna Z, Aslan MK, SenyĆ¼cel MF, et al. Effect of phototherapy on growth factor levels in neonatal rat skin. J Pediatr Surg. 2011;46:2128ā€“31.

    PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  43. Martin P. Wound healing--aiming for perfect skin regeneration. Science. 1997;276:75ā€“81.

    CASĀ  PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  44. Singer AJ, Clark RA. Cutaneous wound healing. N Engl J Med. 1999;341:738ā€“46.

    CASĀ  PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  45. Kim CH, Lee JH, Won JH, Cho MK. Early activation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and vascular endothelial growth factor. J Korean Med Sci. 2011;26:726ā€“33.

    CASĀ  PubMedĀ  PubMed CentralĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  46. Volk SW, Iqbal SA, Bayat A. Interactions of the extracellular matrix and progenitor cell in cutaneous wound healing. Adv Wound Care. 2013;2:261ā€“72.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  47. Kurtz A, Oh SJ. Age related changes of the extracellular matrix and stem cell maintenance. Prev Med. 2012;54:S50.

    CASĀ  PubMedĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Francisco das Chagas Carvalho from Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas of FundaĆ§Ć£o Oswaldo Cruz of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for his technical assistance. This study was supported by the Brazilian agency FundaĆ§Ć£o Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo Ć  Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro - FAPERJ, Brazil (E-26/110.391/2012 and E-26/100.771/2014).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jamila Alessandra Perini.

Additional information

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Authorsā€™ contributions

JAP designed the research, analyzed data, wrote the manuscript and obtained funding. TAG induce experimental wound model and helped to all experiments. JA helped to all experiments and edited the manuscript. LCF helped to histopathologic analysis. LEN critical discussion and edited the manuscript. DEM contributed to the idea, helped to all experiments, analyzed data and wrote the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Rights and permissions

This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Perini, J.A., Angeli-Gamba, T., Alessandra-Perini, J. et al. Topical application of Acheflan on rat skin injury accelerates wound healing: a histopathological, immunohistochemical and biochemical study. BMC Complement Altern Med 15, 203 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-015-0745-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-015-0745-x

Keywords