The effect of earthworm extract on promoting skin wound healing.

Chronic nonhealing wounds pose a significant challenge to healthcare system because of its tremendous utilization of resources and time to heal. It has a well-deserved reputation for reducing the quality of life for those affected and represent a substantial economic burden to the healthcare system overall. Earthworms are used as a traditional Chinese medicine, and have been applied pharmacologically and clinically since a long time in China. However, there is paucity in data regarding its wound healing effects. Therefore, we investigated the effect of earthworm extract (EE) on skin wound healing process. The obtained data showed that EE has healing effects on local wound of mice. It decreased the wound healing time and reduced the ill-effects of inflammation as determined by macroscopic, histopathologic, hematologic, and immunohistochemistry parameters. The potential mechanism could be accelerated hydroxyproline and transforming growth factor-ß secretion-thus increasing the synthesis of collagen, promoting blood capillary, and fibroblast proliferation. It could accelerate the removal of necrotic tissue and foreign bodies by speeding up the generation of interleukin-6, white blood cells, and platelets. It thus enhances immunity, reduces the risk of infection, and promotes wound healing. All in all, the obtained data demonstrated that EE improves quality of healing and could be used as a propitious wound healing agent.

Analgesic effect and safety of single-dose intra-articular magnesium after arthroscopic surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To examine the analgesic effect and safety of single-dose intra-articular (IA) magnesium (Mg) after arthroscopic surgery. Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane library were searched through in January 2016. Eight RCTs and eight experimental studies were included. The IA Mg exhibited a significantly lower pain score when compared with placebo (MD, -0.41, 95% CI, -0.78 to -0.05, p = 0.03). There was no significant difference between Mg and bupivacaine in terms of pain relief and the time to first analgesic request. Furthermore, statistically significant differences both in pain score (MD, -0.62, 95% CI, -0.81 to -0.42, p < 0.00001) and time to first analgesic request (MD, 6.25, 95% CI, 5.22 to 7.29, p < 0.00001) were observed between Mg plus bupivacaine and bupivacaine alone. There was no statistically significant difference among the various groups with respect to adverse reactions. Most of the included in vitro studies reported the chondrocyte protective effect of Mg supplementation. There were also two in vivo studies showing the cartilage protective effect of IA Mg. The single-dose IA Mg following arthroscopic surgery was effective in pain relief without increasing adverse reactions, and it could also enhance the analgesic effect of bupivacaine. In addition, Mg seemed to possess the cartilage or chondrocyte protective effect based on experimental studies.

Effect of epimedium pubescen flavonoid on bone mineral status and bone turnover in male rats chronically exposed to cigarette smoke.

BACKGROUND: Epimedii herba is one of the most frequently used herbs in formulas that are prescribed for the treatment of osteoporosis in China and its main constituent is Epimedium pubescen flavonoid (EPF). However, it is unclear whether EPF during chronic exposure to cigarette smoke may have a protective influence on the skeleton. The present study investigated the effect of EPF on bone mineral status and bone turnover in a rat model of human relatively high exposure to cigarette smoke. METHODS: Fifty male Wistar rats were randomized into five groups: controls, passive smoking groups and passive smoking rats administered EPF at three dosage levels (75, 150 or 300 mg/kg/day) in drinking water for 4 months. A rat model of passive smoking was prepared by breeding male rats in a cigarette-smoking box. Bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover markers, bone histomorphometric parameters and biomechanical properties were examined. RESULTS: Smoke exposure decreased BMC and BMD, increased bone turnover (inhibited bone formation and stimulated its resorption), affected bone histomorphometry (increased trabecular separation and osteoclast surface per bone surface; decreased trabecular bone volume, trabecular thickness, trabecular number, cortical thickness, bone formation rate and osteoblast surface per bone surface), and reduced mechanical properties. EPF supplementation during cigarette smoke exposure prevented smoke-induced changes in bone mineral status and bone turnover. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that EPF can prevent the adverse effects of smoke exposure on bone by stimulating bone formation and inhibiting bone turnover and bone resorption.

Effect of Epimedium pubescen flavonoid on bone mineral density and biomechanical properties of femoral distal end and femoral diaphysis of passively smoking male rats.

BACKGROUND: Based on a rat model of human relatively high exposure to cigarette smoke, this study aimed to estimate whether Epimedium pubescen flavonoid (EPF) may prevent a smoke-induced decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) and weakening of the biomechanical properties of bone. METHODS: Fifty male Wistar rats were randomized into five groups: controls, passively smoking groups and passively smoking rats administered EPF at three dosage levels (75, 150 or 300 mg/kg/day) in drinking water for 4 months. A rat model of passive cigarette smoking was prepared by breeding male rats in a cigarette-smoking box for 4 months. Bone metabolic makers, BMD and biomechanical properties of the femoral distal end and femoral diaphysis were examined. RESULTS: Exposure to cigarette smoke decreased the BMD, affected bone turnover (inhibited bone formation and stimulated its resorption) and weakened the biomechanical properties of the femur at its distal end and diaphysis. EPF supplementation during cigarette smoke exposure prevented the decrease in BMD, accelerated bone turnover and weakened the biomechanical properties of bone. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that EPF supplementation can prevent the adverse effects of smoke exposure on BMD and biomechanical properties by inhibiting bone turnover and preventing bone resorption, and in this way it can decrease the risk of bone fractures.