Effects of Hsian-tsao (Mesona procumbensHemsl.) extracts and its polysaccharides on the promotion of wound healing under diabetes-like conditions

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of Hsian-tsao (Mesona procumbens Hemsl.) and its polysaccharides on impaired wound healing in diabetes. The results indicate that ethanol extracts of Hsian-tsao (EE) and crude polysaccharides from water extracts of Hsian-tsao (WEP) had strong inhibitory effects on methylglyoxal (MG)-induced glycation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. EE and WEP also decreased MG-induced inflammation-related factors in RAW 264.7 macrophages and restored MG-impaired wound-healing factors in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts. Furthermore, EE and WEP were found to dose-dependently enhance the MG-impaired phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by macrophages. Excitingly, EE and WEP significantly enhanced wound healing on the dorsal skin through regulation of macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) protein expressions in diabetic mice, as evidenced by the percentage reduction in wound surface area and the results of histopathologic scoring analysis. In conclusion, these results suggest that Hsian-tsao extract and its polysaccharides might be utilized in alternative natural therapy to promote wound healing in diabetic individuals.