title: Topical application of Acalypha indica accelerates rat cutaneous wound healing by up-regulating the expression of Type I and III collagen.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acalypha indica Linn. (Acalypha indica) vernacularly called Kuppaimeni in Tamil, has been used as a folklore medicine since ages for the treatment of wounds by tribal people of Tamil Nadu, Southern India. The present study investigates the biochemical and molecular rationale behind the healing potential of Acalypha indica on dermal wounds in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Acalypha indica extract (40 mg/kg body weight) was applied topically once a day on full-thickness excision wounds created on rats. The wound tissue was removed and used for estimation of various biochemical and biophysical analyses and to observe histopathological changes with and with-out extract treatment. The serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) was measured at 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h post-wounding using ELISA. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis was performed to study the expression pattern of transforming growth factor [TGF-β1], collagen 1 α (I) [Col 1 α (I)] and collagen 3 α (I) [Col 3 α (I)]. Likewise, linear incision wounds were created and treated with the extract and used for tensile strength measurements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Wound healing in control rats was characterized by less inflammatory cell infiltration, lack of granulation tissue formation, deficit of collagen and significant decrease in biomechanical strength of wounds. Acalypha indica treatment mitigated the oxidative stress and decreased lipid peroxidation with concomitant increase in ascorbic acid levels. It also improved cellular proliferation, increased TNF-α levels during early stages of wound healing, up-regulated TGF-β1 and elevated collagen synthesis by markedly increasing the expression of Col 1 α (I) and Col 3 α (I). Increased rates of wound contraction, epithelialization, enhanced shrinkage temperature and high tensile strength were observed in the extract treated rats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acalypha indica extract was shown to augment the process of dermal wound healing by its ability to increase collagen synthesis through up-regulation of key players in different phases of wound healing and by its antioxidative potential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Central Leather Research Institute-Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Chennai 600020, India.
authors.forename: Moorthy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ganeshkumar
authors.forename: Thangavel
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ponrasu
authors.forename: Rajesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Krithika
authors.forename: Kuttalam
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Iyappan
authors.forename: Vinaya Subramani
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Gayathri
authors.forename: Lonchin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Suguna
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D024061:Collagen Type III / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D019665:Euphorbiaceae; D007194:India; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000235:genetics; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood; D015854:Up-Regulation; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I; D024061:Collagen Type III; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha