Dracohodin Perochlorate Stimulates Fibroblast Proliferation via EGFR Activation and Downstream ERK/CREB and PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathways In Vitro

In recent years, an increasing number of natural plant extracts have been determined to be potential drugs for various illnesses. In this study, we investigated the effects of dracorhodin perchlorate (DP) on fibroblast proliferation, which is crucial for wound healing. Cell proliferation assays were performed by different concentrations of DP, and the cell viability was detected by CCK-8 kits. After DP treatment for 24 h, the cell cycle was checked by flow cytometer. EGFR and downstream signaling pathways ERK1/2 and PI3K were examined with DP treatment by western blot. We further determined the effects of the related inhibitors on DP-induced relative protein phosphorylation and cell proliferation. The results showed that 3 μg/mL of DP promoted cell proliferation most significantly at treatment lengths of 24 h, and the percentage of cells in the S + G2 phase increased compared to those of the control group. In western blot detection, we found that DP significantly upregulated EGFR phosphorylation and activated the downstream ERK/CREB and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Moreover, the results also showed that AG1478 abolished DP-induced relative protein activation and cell proliferation. When U0126 or LY294002 pretreated cells alone, DP-induced p-ERK or p-PI3K downstream proteins and cell proliferation were suppressed compared to those of the control group, but EGFR was not affected. In addition, ICG001 and BEZ235 collectively eliminated DP-induced fibroblast proliferation. Our findings suggest that DP-promoted fibroblast proliferation is stimulated by p-EGFR-induced activation of the ERK1/2-CREB and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways. Our present study explored the mechanism of DP-promoted fibroblast proliferation and provided a new basis for wound healing.

Dracorhodin Perchlorate Accelerates Cutaneous Wound Healing in Wistar Rats

Dracorhodin perchlorate (DP) is extracted from Dragon’s blood, which is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, especially in wound healing. The aim of this paper is to investigate the influence of DP ointment, which contained DP dissolved in DMSO and mixed with Vaseline, on cutaneous wound healing in Wistar rats. Forty Wistar rats were divided into two groups: control and DP groups. The skin on the back of each rat was punched with two full-thickness wounds and then treated with the corresponding drug. After 3, 7, 10, 14, and 21 days, four rats were sacrificed for immunological, biochemical, and histological analyses. Compared with the control treatment, DP could significantly promote wound closure. Histological and biochemical analyses of the skin biopsies also showed that DP regulated the expression of inflammatory responses by TNF-α and IL-β and by supporting wound tissue growth and collagen deposition. Western blot revealed that DP could also facilitate the expression of EGF and VEGF proteins. In conclusion, DP promotes wound healing.