Topical Application of Antrodia cinnamomea Ointment in Diabetic Wound Healing
Abstract
The number of diagnosed diabetic patients is increasing worldwide. Many people with diabetes develop wounds that are slow to, or never, heal, which can lead to serious health issues. Diabetes causes long-term excessive blood glucose buildup in human body, which leads to an over-reactive inflammatory response and excessive oxidative stress. As a result, varied wound healing effects were observed according to different circumstances and stage of healing. We used two diabetic wound animal models to analyze the wound healing effect of Antrodia cinnamomea ointment in either topical application and/or oral administration, and explored its mechanism by Western blot analysis. The results showed that topical Antrodia cinnamomea treatment can significantly promote wound healing. The increased expressions of angiopoietin 1 and angiopoietin 2 protein and reduction of CD68 expression were found around wound area. Simultaneous treatment of oral and topical Antrodia cinnamomea ointment did not show an accelerated healing effect in our animal model. This study is the first report to demonstrate the effect of topical application of Antrodia cinnamomea ointment on diabetic wounds healing, and its relationship with angiogenesis. This may also open a new field for future development and application of Taiwan Antrodia cinnamomea.
Figures 
Figure 1
Mycelia colony germinated from single…
Figure 1
Mycelia colony germinated from single spore was selected and subcultured.
Figure 1 Mycelia colony germinated from single spore was selected and subcultured.
Figure 2
Effects of Antrodia cinnamomea (AC)…
Figure 2
Effects of Antrodia cinnamomea (AC) ointment on linear cutaneous diabetic wound. ( A…
Figure 2 Effects of Antrodia cinnamomea (AC) ointment on linear cutaneous diabetic wound. (A) Full-thickness wounds were induced for vehicle or Antrodia cinnamomea treatment in diabetic mice. Images of representative mice from each group taken on post-surgery days are shown. (B) Mean wound area at indicated time points in each group show that healing rate in linear wound healing in diabetic mice. Each value represents the mean ± SEM; n = 6 for each group. * p < 0.05 when AC group compared to vehicle group.
Figure 3
Post-wound skin tissue with specific…
Figure 3
Post-wound skin tissue with specific stained in day 7. The specific stained skin…
Figure 3 Post-wound skin tissue with specific stained in day 7. The specific stained skin sections from AC-treated diabetic mice were examined microscopically. Observation under 400× magnification.
Figure 4
Angiogenesis and anti-inflammatory effects in…
Figure 4
Angiogenesis and anti-inflammatory effects in diabetic wound area after topical Antrodia cinnamomea treatment…
Figure 4 Angiogenesis and anti-inflammatory effects in diabetic wound area after topical Antrodia cinnamomea treatment on day 7. Angiogenesis related protein, (A) Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), (B) Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) expressions in skin tissues on Day 7 post injury. (C) VEGF protein expressions did not reach statistically significant. (D) CD68 protein expressions after the cutaneous wound in diabetic mice. Each value represents the mean ± SEM; n = 6 for each group. * p < 0.05 when AC group compared to vehicle group. (n = 6).
Figure 5
Wound healing after topical and/or…
Figure 5
Wound healing after topical and/or oral Antrodia cinnamomea treatment on diabetic wounds. (…
Figure 5 Wound healing after topical and/or oral Antrodia cinnamomea treatment on diabetic wounds. (A) Images of diabetic mice from diabetic vehicle control (Vehicle), combined topical and oral Antrodia cinnamomea treatment (ACYY) and topical Antrodia cinnamomea treatment alone (ACYN) on post-injury days are shown (B) Gross pictures from both combined topical and oral Antrodia cinnamomea treatment (ACYY) group and topical Antrodia cinnamomea treatment alone (ACYN) group of diabetic cutaneous wound from day 9 to day 11 in diabetic rats. Each value represents the mean ± SEM; n = 6 for each group. * p < 0.05 when treatment group compared to control group.
Figure 6
Expression of EPOR and PPARδ…
Figure 6
Expression of EPOR and PPARδ proteins in diabetic wound areas after Antrodia cinnamomea…
Figure 6 Expression of EPOR and PPARδ proteins in diabetic wound areas after Antrodia cinnamomea treatment. The diabetic rats without any treatment were DMC group. Vehicle group was only topically treated with vehicle ointment. (A) EPOR protein expressions after Antrodia cinnamomea treatment. (B) PPARδ protein expressions after combined topical and oral Antrodia cinnamomea treatment (ACYY) and topical Antrodia cinnamomea treatment alone (ACYN). Each value represents the mean ± SEM; n = 6 for each group. * p < 0.05 when treatment group compared to control group.