Picroliv accelerates epithelialization and angiogenesis in rat wounds

Planta Med. 2007 Mar;73(3):251-6. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-967119. Epub 2007 Feb 22.

Abstract

Tissue repair and wound healing are complex processes that involve inflammation, granulation and tissue remodeling. Angiogenesis plays a central role in wound healing. Earlier, we have shown that picroliv, a natural product obtained from the roots of Picrorhiza kurrooa, up-regulates the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and of insulin-like growth factor in rats during hypoxia. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of picroliv in an ex vivo rat aorta ring model of angiogenesis. Picroliv enhanced the sprouting and migration of endothelial cells. We also investigated punch wound healing on days 4 and 7 after wounding by histology, morphometry and collagenization. The data showed improved re-epithelialization, neovascularization and migration of various cells such as endothelial, dermal myofibroblasts and fibroblasts into the wound bed after picroliv treatment. Immunohistochemical localization showed increased VEGF and alpha smooth muscle actin staining consistent with an increased number of microvessels in granulation tissue. These findings suggest that picroliv could be developed as a therapeutic angiogenic agent for the restoration of the blood supply in diseases involving inadequate blood supply such as limb ischemia, ischemic myocardium and wound healing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / administration & dosage
  • Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / pharmacology*
  • Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Aorta / drug effects
  • Aorta / pathology
  • Cinnamates / administration & dosage
  • Cinnamates / pharmacology*
  • Cinnamates / therapeutic use
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiology
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Fibroblasts / physiology
  • Glycosides / administration & dosage
  • Glycosides / pharmacology*
  • Glycosides / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / physiology
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Picrorhiza*
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Plant Roots
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Umbilical Veins / cytology
  • Vanillic Acid / administration & dosage
  • Vanillic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Vanillic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism
  • Wound Healing / drug effects*
  • Wound Healing / physiology

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inducing Agents
  • Cinnamates
  • Glycosides
  • Plant Extracts
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • kutkin
  • Vanillic Acid