title: Therapeutic effects of liposome-enveloped Ligusticum chuanxiong essential oil on hypertrophic scars in the rabbit ear model.
abstract: Hypertrophic scarring, a common proliferative disorder of dermal fibroblasts, results from an overproduction of fibroblasts and excessive deposition of collagen. Although treatment with surgical excision or steroid hormones can modify the symptoms, numerous treatment-related complications have been described. In view of this, we investigated the therapeutic effects of essential oil (EO) from rhizomes of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (Umbelliferae) on formed hypertrophic scars in a rabbit ear model. EO was prepared as a liposomal formulation (liposome-enveloped essential oil, LEO) and a rabbit ear model with hypertrophic scars was established. LEO (2.5, 5, and 10%) was applied once daily to the scars for 28 days. On postoperative day 56, the scar tissue was excised for masson's trichrome staining, detection of fibroblast apoptosis, assays of the levels of collagens I and III, and analysis of the mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), caspase-3 and -9, and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β(1)). In addition, the scar elevation index (SEI) was also determined. As a result, LEO treatment significantly alleviated formed hypertrophic scars on rabbit ears. The levels of TGF-β(1), MMP-1, collagen I, and collagen III were evidently decreased, and caspase -3 and -9 levels and apoptosis cells were markedly increased in the scar tissue. SEI was also significantly reduced. Histological findings exhibited significant amelioration of the collagen tissue. These results suggest that LEO possesses the favorable therapeutic effects on formed hypertrophic scars in the rabbit ear model and may be an effective cure for human hypertrophic scars.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ran
authors.forename: Chang-Ling
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Lu-Ping
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Peng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053453:Caspase 9 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D024061:Collagen Type III / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004423:Ear / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D030004:Ligusticum / Q000737:chemistry*; D008081:Liposomes; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I; D024061:Collagen Type III; D008081:Liposomes; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053148:Caspase 3; D053453:Caspase 9; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1