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Planta Med 2019; 85(08): 657-669
DOI: 10.1055/a-0881-3000
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Original Papers
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Wound Healing Potential of the Standardized Extract of Boswellia serrata on Experimental Diabetic Foot Ulcer via Inhibition of Inflammatory, Angiogenetic and Apoptotic Markers

Zhang Pengzong   *
1   Medical Quality Control Office, Sichuan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital, Chengdu, P. R. China
,
Li Yuanmin   *
2   Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, NHFPC, Regenerative Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P. R. China
,
Xiong Xiaoming
3   Department of Surgery, Sichuan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital, Chengdu, P. R. China
,
Deng Shang
3   Department of Surgery, Sichuan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital, Chengdu, P. R. China
,
Xiong Wei
4   Department of Internal Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital, Chengdu, P. R. China
,
Lang Zhigang
3   Department of Surgery, Sichuan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital, Chengdu, P. R. China
,
Du Dongzhou
1   Medical Quality Control Office, Sichuan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital, Chengdu, P. R. China
,
Yu Wenjing
4   Department of Internal Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital, Chengdu, P. R. China
,
Yue Jianbiao
4   Department of Internal Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital, Chengdu, P. R. China
,
Xiang Yang
1   Medical Quality Control Office, Sichuan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital, Chengdu, P. R. China
,
Li Xia
4   Department of Internal Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital, Chengdu, P. R. China
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 02 January 2019
revised 02 March 2019

accepted 14 March 2019

Publication Date:
25 March 2019 (online)

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the wound healing potential and possible mechanism of action of the standardized extract of Boswellia serrata against the experimental model of diabetic foot ulcer. α-Boswellic acid was isolated from the standardized extract of B. serrata and characterized (HPLC, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, ESI-MS). Diabetes was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by streptozotocin (55 mg/kg, i. p.), and wounds were created on the dorsal surface of the hind paw. B. serrata (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, p. o.) was administered to the rats for 16 days. The HPLC analysis showed a single peak with a retention time of 12.51 min. The compound was identified with ESI-MS [M + Na]+ = 455.37 as α-boswellic acid. Treatment with B. serrata (200 and 400 mg/kg) significantly increased the rate of wound contraction via modulation of oxido-nitrosative stress and elevated the hydroxyproline level at the wound area. reverse transcription-PCR analysis revealed that streptozotocin-induced increases in TNF-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, nuclear factor-kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, and Bcl-2-associated X protein, and decreases in angiopoietin-1, Tie2, transforming growth factor beta 1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and collagen-1 mRNA expression were significantly inhibited by B. serrata. It also significantly reduced wound cellular necrosis as evaluated by flow cytometry using propidium iodide fluorescence intensity. Streptozotocin-induced histopathological alterations were also significantly ameliorated by B. serrata. In conclusion, standardized extracts of B. serrata exert its wound healing potential via orchestrating mechanisms, which include the inhibition of oxido-inflammatory markers (oxido-nitrosative stress, TNF-α, interleukins, and nuclear factor-kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells), increased collagen synthesis (hydroxyproline and collagen-1) and angiogenesis (Ang-1/Tie2), promoting growth factors (transforming growth factor beta 1 and vascular endothelial growth factor), and inhibition of apoptosis (Bcl-2-associated X protein) to accelerate wound healing in experimental delayed diabetic foot ulcer.

Highlight of manuscript

  • α-Boswellic acid was isolated and characterized from Boswellia serrata (BS)

  • Diabetes wound was created in SD rats on the dorsal surface of hind paw

  • BS down-regulated TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB, and Bax mRNA expressions

  • BS up-regulated Ang-1, Tie2, TGF-β, VEGF and collagen-1 mRNA expressions

  • BS exert its potential to accelerate delayed diabetic foot ulcer healing

Key words

Ang-1/Tie2 - Boswellia serrata - Burseraceae - collagen-1 - diabetic foot ulcer - TGF-β - α-boswellic acid

* These two authors contributed equally to this article.


Supporting Information

    Primer sequences, 13C-NMR, and ESI-MS of α-boswellic acid are available as Supporting Information.

  • Supporting Information
 

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