Experimental Study on Shikonin Promoting Wound Healing in Rats

Objection: The aim of this study was to explain the effects and mechanisms of Shikonin in promoting wound healing in rats. Methods: The SD rat model of acute wound wound was used as the research object, observing wound healing and healing rate, observing the wound surface pathology by H&E staining and wound fibrosis by Masson staining; Evaluating MMP-2, MMP-9 and bFGF proteins expressions in Model and Shikonin treated groups by Immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 3 d, 7 d, 14 d and 28 d. Results: Compared with Model group, wound healing time of Shikonin group was significantly improved (P < 0.01); wound healing rates of Shikonin group were significantly increased in 3 d, 7 d, 14 d and 28 d (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 or P < 0.001, respectively). By H&E staining, the traumatic facial pathology of Shikonin group were obvious improvement in 3 d, 7 d, 14 d and 28 d compared with the same times of Model group; By Masson staining, Shikonin could improve traumatic facial fibrosis. Compared with Model group, MMP-2 protein expression of Shikonin group were significantly increased in 7 d and 14 d (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01, respectively); MMP-9 protein expression of Shikonin group were significantly up-regulation in 7 d, 14 d and 28 d (P < 0.01, respectively); bFGF protein expression of Shikonin group were significantly enhanced in 3 d, 7 d and 14 d (P < 0.01 or P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Shikonin could improve acute wound and reduce wound fibrosis, the mechanism might be correlation with MMP-2, MMP-9 and bFGF expressions.