[Effect of San-huang-sheng-fu oil on wounds of full-thickness scald in rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of San-huang-sheng-fu oil on wounds of full-thickness scald in rabbits.

METHODS: Full-thickness scald wounds with area of 6 cm(2) were reproduced on both sides of the back in 9 experimental rabbits by water vapor. These rabbits were divided into sesame oil (S1), San-huang-sheng-fu oil (S2), and mupirocin ointment (M) groups according to the random number table, with 3 rabbits (6 wounds) in each group. Two wounds of each rabbit in the three groups were respectively treated with sesame oil, San-huang-sheng-fu oil, and mupirocin ointment, in a dose of 0.15 mL/cm(2), 2-3 times per day. The general condition of wounds was observed on post scald day (PSD) 1, 11, 22, and 45. The wound healing time was recorded. The wound healing rate was calculated on PSD 5, 11, 15, and 22. All the rabbits were sacrificed on PSD 45, and wound tissues were subjected to histomorphological study with HE staining. The protein expressions of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were observed with immunofluorescence staining for the other part of wound tissues. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance or LSD-t test.

RESULTS: (1) The wound healing quality of rabbits in S2 group was better than that in the other two groups. (2) The wound healing time of rabbits in S2 group [(11.2 ± 2.3) d] was significantly shorter than that in S1 group [(21.2 ± 3.1) d, t = 2.591, P < 0.05]. (3) The wound healing rate of rabbit in each group was increased gradually on PSD 5-22. The wound healing rates of rabbits in S2 group on PSD 5-22 were significantly higher than those in S1 group (with t values from 3.920 to 8.605, P values all below 0.05). (4) Histomorphological observation showed that the structure of wound tissues in S2 group was in much better integrity than that in the other two groups, including regenerated hair follicles in the corium layer and regularly arranged collagen fibers. The protein expressions of TGF-β1, bFGF, and VEGF in S2 group were all higher than those in the other two groups.

CONCLUSIONS: San-huang-sheng-fu oil can up-regulate the protein expressions of TGF-β1, bFGF, and VEGF, induce vascular regeneration, promote wound healing, and shorten wound healing time.