Phenolic Extract(s) Promote(s) Wound Remodeling

OBJECTIVES: Effective wound remodeling (WR) is a significant challenge associated with chronic wounds such as diabetic ulcers. Bioactive compounds such as polyphenols have been documented to influence wound healing. Previously, our lab recorded that a phenolic acid extract (PE) from Wild Blueberry (WB) promotes wound closure by promoting endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis. Still, the in vivo effect on WR for clinical translation is unknown. Thus, the objectives of this study are to examine the pre-clinical effect of phenolic extract (PE) from wild blueberries (WB) on histological and molecular pathways of tissue remodeling on rats' wounds. METHODS: Phenolics were extracted from WB through the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The extract was then incorporated into a gel and a cream base. Fifty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were classified into seven groups as follows: Group 1, Control (no treatment), Group 2, the cream carrier without the PE, Group 3, gel carrier, without PE, Group 4, gel with 500 ug/ml of the PE, Group 5, cream with 500 ug/ml of PE, Group 6, gel with 1000 ug/ml of PE, and Group 7, cream with 1000 ug/ml of PE. Dorsal wounds were created on all the rats and treated according to the above groups for six days. Skin tissues were excised and fixed for molecular analysis and Masson trichrome staining. Stained tissues were visualized and quantified under the light microscope for the pattern of collagen deposition as wound remodeling. RESULTS: Histology analysis showed a significant increase in the organized pattern of collagen deposition with the gel-PE 500 ug/ml treatment compared with the other groups. Currently, we are analyzing results for genes and proteins associated with the observed collagen deposition. CONCLUSIONS: Our innovative research will elucidate the potential of PE to modulate collagen-mediated wound remodeling. Results from this project may benefit patients with chronic wounds through the clinical development of PE in gel carriers as a wound-promoting treatment. FUNDING SOURCES: USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, The Wild Blueberry Association of North America, The Maine Technology Institute, The University of Maine Medicine Seed Grant Program, The Maine Innovation Research Technology Accelerator, i-CORPS NSF, The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering.