Abstract :
Plan: Hemin is a critical component of haemoglobin and induces heme oxygenase (HO), an enzyme which degrades heme in a rate limiting manner and has an important role in cellular protection against oxidative stress. This HO inducer like Hemin may be of potential therapeutic value in the wound healing and inflammation. The present study was proposed to investigate the effect of hemin on experimentally induced excision wounds in rats.
Preface: A multitude of cellular and biochemical processes are set in motion upon the occurrence of the wound. The sequential influx of inflammatory cells production of an extracellular matrix is essential for efficient healing. Wound healing is a burning problem and constitutes an important aspect of rehabilitation medicine. The acute induction of HO has been shown to have beneficial effects including wound healing process.
Methodology: To identify the beneficial activity of HO, vis a vis wound healing, hemin was used as an inducer of HO in rats using a full-thickness cutaneous excision wound model. A 400 mm2 excision wound was created under normal conditions. The route of hemin ointment administration was topical in a normal wound model. The topical Povidone Iodine ointment was used as a standard drug of treatment for wound healing. The assessment of healing process was ascertained by physical (contraction measurements) and chemical (hydroxyproline and glucosamine content of granulation tissue) studies.
Outcome: Heme oxygenase-1 pathway when activated can modulate wound healing process for early and fast healing. Hemin showed a strong pro-healing potential as it induces HO-1 and therefore, triggers the pro-healing convergence pathway. Histopathological studies indicated the process of angiogenesis has occurred in granulation tissue of the treated groups.
Keyword :
Heme oxygenase, Hemin ointment, Wound healing, Angiogenesis