APPLICATION OF PROTEOGLYCAN FROM FISH CARTILAGE FOR THE ACCELERATION OF BURN WOUND HEALING

Abstract

Burn wounds are common and the cost of treatment is normally intensive. There are over 250,000 burn patients yearly worldwide and may occur in any age groups in both genders. 1% silver sulfadiazine (SSD) is used as a standard treatment for burn wounds. The benefits of this medication is due to its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities, which also has activity on mold, yeast, and bacteria, both gram positive and negative as well as drug-resistant bacteria; it can also be applied easily and inexpensive. However, the disadvantage of SSD is a delay in the wound-healing processes since SSD can inhibit DNA synthesis. According to the previous studies, fish bone cartilage composes of a variety of proteoglycans (PGs), which is an epidermal growth factor-like structure. The growth factor is essential for wound healing processes. Thus, using PG combined with 1% SSD for the treatment of burn wounds can accelerate wound healing cascade effectively. The objective of this study is to investigate the activity of PG extracted from fish cartilage alone or in combination with 1% SSD for facilitation of second-degree burn wound healing in an in vivo model. The percentage of wound healing was evaluated on day 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 and histological analysis of animal tissues (number of multinucleated giant cells, macrophages, mast cells and neovascularization) on day 7, 14 and 21 after second degree burn inducing. Furthermore, liver function tests (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase levels) and kidney function tests (blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine) were evaluated for toxicity of the compound. The results showed that, the percentage of wound healing and re-epithelialization of treated groups (1% SSD, 1% PG, 2% PG, 1% SSD combined with 1% PG and 1% SSD combined with 2% PG) were significant higher compared to the control group (cream base-treated wounds). Moreover, the percentage of wound healing in the group received 1% SSD together with 2% PG was significant higher compared to the group received 1% SSD and 1% PG. The results of histological analysis showed that number of multinucleated giant cells and macrophages on day 7, 14 and 21 and mast cells on day 7 and 14 of treated groups (1% SSD, 1% PG, 2% PG, 1% SSD combined with 1% PG and 1% SSD combined with 2% PG) showed no significant difference compared to control group. Number of multinucleated giant cells, macrophage and mast cells reached the peak level on day 7 and then continuously decreasing on day 14 and 21, respectively. Evaluation of the number of neovascularization on day 7 and 14 showed that the group treated with 1% SSD combined with 2% PG had significant higher neovascularization compared to the control group and the group received 1% SSD. The highest number of neovascularization was found on day 14 and decreased on day 21, respectively. For safety evaluation, the level of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase showed no significant difference compared to control group. Kidney function test showed that the level of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine also showed no significant difference compared to control group. The results from this study indicated that PG alone or in combination with 1% SSD can facilitate the wound healing by activation of neovascularization process. For safety evaluation, no abnormalities of liver and kidney function were found after exposure to the tested substance.