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Abstract Background Wound healing represents a complex clinical challenge, necessitating the selection of appropriate wound dressings to facilitate an efficient healing process. This study aims to explore an effective approach to enhance wound healing by investigating the therapeutic potential of a nanocellulose-based anthraquinone derived from marine fungi. Forty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups, including a control group and various four treatment groups. The wound healing process was assessed by measuring the wound area at different time points. Results The results showed promising outcomes in terms of wound healing progression. The group treated with anthraquinone and nanocellulose demonstrated the most favorable results, with normal epidermal architecture, marked hyperkeratosis, and minimal dermal edema. This study provides comprehensive evidence supporting the efficacy of this novel alternative therapy through histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses conducted on a rat model. Conclusion By addressing the limitations associated with conventional wound dressings, our research contributes to the development of innovative strategies for optimizing wound healing outcomes. The findings presented herein underscore the potential of nanocellulose-based anthraquinone as a promising therapeutic option for promoting skin wound healing. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and establish the clinical viability of this alternative therapy.

Abstract Background Collagen is the most abundant structural protein in the mammalian connective tissue and represents approximately 30% of animal protein. The current study evaluated the potential capacity of collagen extract derived from Nile tilapia skin in improving the cutaneous wound healing in rats and investigated the underlying possible mechanisms. A rat model was used, and the experimental design included a control group (CG) and the tilapia collagen treated group (TCG). Full-thickness wounds were conducted on the back of all the rats under general anesthesia, then the tilapia collagen extract was applied topically on the wound area of TCG. Wound areas of the two experimental groups were measured on days 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 post-wounding. The stages of the wound granulation tissues were detected by histopathologic examination and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and transforming growth factor (TGF-ß1) were investigated using immunohistochemistry. Moreover, relative gene expression analysis of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß1), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were quantified by real-time qPCR. Results The histopathological assessment showed noticeable signs of skin healing in TCG compared to CG. Immunohistochemistry results revealed remarkable enhancement in the expression levels of VEGF and TGF-β1 in TCG. Furthermore, TCG exhibited marked upregulation in the VEGF, bFGF, and α-SMA genes expression. These findings suggested that the topical application of Nile tilapia collagen extract can promote the cutaneous wound healing process in rats, which could be attributed to its stimulating effect on recruiting and activating macrophages to produce chemotactic growth factors, fibroblast proliferation, and angiogenesis. Conclusions The collagen extract could, therefore, be a potential biomaterial for cutaneous wound healing therapeutics.

The aim of this study was to compare forelimb claw dimensions in buffalo cows, and to establish a reference values for functional claw trimming. Medial and lateral healthy front feet claws were evaluated from 20 young (YB) and 20 mature (MB) Egyptian buffalo cows (Bubalus bubalis). The dorsal wall length (TL), dorsal wall angle (TA), heel length (HBL), height (HBH) and width (HBW), sole (SL) and claw length (CL) and sole width (SW) were measured. Differences between YB and MB were evaluated using ANOVA test, while those between the lateral and medial claws with a paired t test. Before and after trimming, the HBL, HBW, HBH, SL and CL were significantly higher for both claws in MB, while the TA was significantly lower. Before trimming the lateral HBW and HBH were significantly higher than the medial, while the SL and CL of the medial claw were significantly higher than the lateral claw. After trimming, the lateral claw HBL was significantly higher in MB. The SW of the lateral claw was significantly higher than the medial claw in both YB and MB, and it did not change after trimming. These results can be considered as a guidance during front feet trimming in buffaloes.

Wound healing is a public health concern. Licorice gained a great attention for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which expand its valuable effects as a herbal medicine. In this study, we pointed out to the wound healing potential and the mechanism by which licorice alcoholic extract can modulate cutaneous wound healing through immune, antioxidant, histopathological, immunohistochemical (IHC) and molecular studies. 24 Wister rats were assigned into 3 groups (n = 8 each); control group, topical and oral supplied groups. Licorice extract administration significantly increased total and differential leucocyte counts, phagocytic activity of neutrophils, antioxidant biomarkers as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase activities (GPx) and reduced glutathione (GSH) content with a notable reduction in oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA). Moreover, histopathological findings detected complete re-epithelialization with increasing collagen synthesis while IHC results revealed a significant enhancement in the expression of α-SMA, PDGFR-α, FGFR1 and Cytokeratin 14 in licorice treated groups compared with the control group. Licorice extract supplementation accelerated wound healing by increasing angiogenesis and collagen deposition through up-regulation of bFGF, VEGF and TGF-β gene expression levels compared with the control group. UPLC-PDA-MS/MS aided to authenticate the studied Glycyrrihza species and recognized 101 potential constituents that may be responsible for licorice-exhibited potentials. Based on our observations we concluded that licorice enhanced cutaneous wound healing via its free radical-scavenging potential, potent antioxidant activities, and anti-inflammatory actions. Therefore, licorice could be used as a potential alternative therapy for wound injury which could overcome the associated limitations of modern therapeutic products.

Blue-green microalga Spirulina platensis (SP) gained more attention for its antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory properties magnifying its beneficial effects as a feed additive and for cosmetic and biomedical applications. This study was performed to examine the impact of SP on the cutaneous wound and burn healing and to develop an understanding of the correlation between the sequelae of wound healing and the molecular expression patterns of wound healing-related genes as angiogenic basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibrosis-related genes as transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in rat wound models. To achieve these goals, two experiments were performed on 32 Wister male rats that were divided into 4 groups of 8 rats each. Each experiment was represented by 2 groups; the control group (CG) and the Spirulina group (SG). A full-thickness wound (1.5 × 1.5 cm) and burn wound (2 × 2 cm) were made on the back of each generally anaesthetized rat and the areas of wound and burn were measured on days of 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 and 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 21 post-wound and post-burn respectively. In both experiments, SP was topically applied on the backs of wounded and burned rats in Spirulina treated groups. The phases of wound granulation tissues were detected histopathologically. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expressions of (TGF-B1) and (VEGF). Furthermore, the relative quantification of gene expression was implemented using the (bFGF), (VEGF), (TGF-Ɓ1), and (α-SMA) as target genes. Histopathological examination revealed inflammatory cell infiltration, angiogenesis, epithelialization, and extracellular matrix deposition and wound contraction in SG as compared to CG in both experiments. Immunohistochemistry results showed a significant improvement in the VEGF and TGF-β1 expression levels of SG in both experiments. Interestingly, SG in both experiments revealed upregulation of angiogenic genes (bFGF and VEGF) and downregulation of fibrotic genes (TGF-β1 and α-SMA). In conclusion, our findings suggest that the topically applied Spirulina promoted wound healing. Thus, SP can be used as a biomedical application to treat various skin wounds and may reveal a potential molecular basis for future promising antifibrotic agents against scar formation.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most commonly used postoperative analgesics, antipyretics, and anti-inflammatories, and they help prevent blood clotting. However, most NSAIDs delay bone healing. This study was aimed to investigate bone healing in a rabbit animal model by assessing the ability of flunixin meglumine (FM) and ketoprofen to induce fracture healing by examining histology, radiological changes, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) immunostaining during bone healing. For this purpose, 24 New Zealand rabbits were assigned to three groups: the control group, the FM group, and the ketoprofen group. Our results revealed that there were no intraoperative complications, and all surviving rabbits achieved full-weight bearing. Significant periosteal reaction and callus formation were confirmed at 2 postoperative weeks. Interestingly, FM enhanced callus formation, bone union, and remodeling in the FM group compared to the control and ketoprofen groups. FM enhanced bone healing through early collagen deposition and marked angiogenesis process activation by increasing the expression of VEGF. Our findings demonstrated, for the first time, the potential imperative action of FM in the bone healing process rather than other NSAIDs in animals.

Aim of this study was to compare the analgesic effect of tramadol and a combination of tramadol-lidocaine with that produced by lidocaine administration in the epidural space in buffalo calves. In a prospective randomized crossover study, ten male buffalo calves were used to compare the epidural analgesic effect of tramadol (1 mg/kg) and tramadol-lidocaine combination (0.5 mg/kg and 0.11 mg/kg, resp.) with that produced by 2% lidocaine (0.22 mg/kg). Loss of sensation was examined by pin-prick test. Onset time, duration, and degree of analgesia and ataxia were recorded after each treatment. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature, and haematobiochemical parameters were recorded after all treatments. Time to onset and duration of analgesia, respectively, were as follows: tramadol 11±2 min and 208±15 min; tramadol-lidocaine 6±2 min and 168±9 min; lidocaine 4±1 min and 67±13 min. Onset time and duration were significantly longer with tramadol than the other treatments. Duration was significantly longer with tramadol-lidocaine than lidocaine. Ataxia was mildly observed in tramadol-lidocaine and was moderate in lidocaine. HR, RR, and rectal temperature did not differ significantly from baseline after any treatment. Haematobiochemical parameters returned to basal levels by 24 h after all treatments. This combination might be clinically useful to provide analgesia in buffalo for long-duration surgical procedures.

The article presents a study which evaluates the performance of carbon dioxide absorbent Yabashi lime as compared to conventional carbon dioxide absorbent during sevoflurane anesthesia in dogs. The four dogs used in the study were anesthetized with sevoflurane, with four preparations. Compound A and carbon monoxide concentrations in the blood were measured. Findings of the study indicated that Yabashi lime with sevoflurane anesthesia in dogs is safer than conventional carbon dioxide absorbent.