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Silk Fibroin and Nettle Extract Promote Wound Healing in a Rat Model: A Histological and Morphometrical Study Publisher Pubmed



Alizadehotaghvar HR1 ; Moradi F2 ; Sadigh N3 ; Raoofi A4 ; Darabi S5 ; Rustamzadeh A2, 5 ; Ghadimi T1, 6 ; Rezaie MJ7 ; Seidkhani E2 ; Ahadi R2 ; Shabani R2 ; Mousavikhaneghah A8 ; Zare S9
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
  5. 5. Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Non-communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
  6. 6. Burn Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  7. 7. Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Department of Anatomical Sciences, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
  8. 8. Department of Fruit and Vegetable Product Technology, Prof. Waclaw Dabrowski Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology, State Research Institute, 36 Rakowiecka St., Warsaw, 02-532, Poland
  9. 9. Skin and Stem Cell Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Acta Histochemica Published:2022


Abstract

Introduction: Considering the anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial ability, and antioxidant effects besides stimulating ability of silk fibroin (SF) in cell migration and proliferation of Nettle, the current study aimed to investigate the effect of Nettle leaf extract (NLE) and SF on histology, morphometrical parameters and apoptosis on the wound in the rat model. Materials and methods: Wistar rats are divided into 5 groups, including 1-control (rats with healthy skin and no treatment); 2-wound (without any treatment); 3-SF (administration of silk fibroin solution for 14 consecutive days); 4- Nettle (administration of Nettle ointment for 14 consecutive days), and 5- Eucerin group (administration of Eucerin substance for 14 consecutive days) and then assessed wound area by photography, angiogenesis, inflammation, and thickness of epidermis using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, collagen deposition, and structure of dermis layers evaluated by Masson's trichrome staining and the apoptosis index determined by tunnel assay on days 7, 14 and 21. Results: photographic illustrations showed that the wound surface environment on the seventh day in group 4 was significantly different from group 2 (p < 0.002). The rate of wound healing on the fourteenth day was higher in groups 3 and 4 than in group 2 (p < 0.001). Also, at this time, group 4 was significantly different from group 3 and group 5 (p = 0.003 and p = 0.000, respectively). There was a significant difference in epidermal thickness between the wound group and other experimental groups (p < 0.05). The number of apoptotic cells at the wound edges on the seventh day in both group 3 and group 4 had a significant decrease compared to other groups of wounds (p = 0.000), but there was a significant increase on the fourteenth day. Also, on the 21st day, a significant decrease in apoptotic cells was observed in both group 3 and group 4 compared to other wound groups (p = 0.000). Discussion and Conclusion: Nettle and SF maintain cell homeostasis and accelerate wound closure by reducing cell apoptosis and enhancing cell proliferation on the seventh day, but by increasing the apoptosis of fibroblast cells on the fourteenth day, they lead to remodeling and keratinocytes migration to epidermis formation. Increased apoptosis also seems to be one of the pathophysiological mechanisms to prevent the formation of keloid and hypertrophic scar tissue. SF and Nettle extract, by increasing cell proliferation and migration of different cell types to the site of injury, control the remodeling process by inducing and regulating apoptosis in the first two weeks of wound healing and accelerating the process of collagen deposition and epithelialization. © 2022 Elsevier GmbH