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Article
Topical Digitoxigenin for Wound Healing: A Feasibility Study
Pharmaceutical Science and Research
  • Xinchi Feng, Marshall University
  • Cuifen Wang, Marshall University
  • Yunhui Xu, Marshall University
  • Joel Turley, Marshall University
  • Zijian Xie, Marshall University
  • Sandrine Pierre, Marshall University
  • Jinsong Hao, Marshall University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-5-2018
Abstract

(1) Background: Cardiotonic steroids have been found to stimulate collagen synthesis and might be potential wound healing therapeutics. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of digitoxigenin and its topical formulation for wound healing; (2) Methods: In the in vitro study, the human dermal fibroblast cells were treated with digitoxigenin and collagen synthesis was assessed. In the in vivo study, digitoxigenin was applied to excisional full-thickness wounds in rats immediately after wounding and remained for three days, and wound open was evaluated over 10 days. A digitoxigenin formulation for topical administration was prepared, and the in vitro release and in vivo wound healing effect were investigated; (3) Results: The expression of procollagen in human dermal fibroblast was significantly increased with the exposure to 0.1 nM digitoxigenin. Topical application of digitoxigenin in olive oil or alginate solution for three days significantly decreased the wound open in rats. Similarly, topical administration of the developed digitoxigenin formulation for three days also significantly increased wound healing. No wound healing effects were observed at days 7 and 10 after wounding when digitoxigenin was not applied; and, (4) Conclusions: It was possible to deliver digitoxigenin using the developed formulation. However, the wound healing effect of digitoxigenin and its mechanisms need to be further investigated in future studies.

Comments

The copy of record is available from the publisher at https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering5010021. Copyright © 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Citation Information
Feng, X.; Wang, C.; Xu, Y.; Turley, J.; Xie, Z.; Pierre, S.V.; Hao, J. Topical Digitoxigenin for Wound Healing: A Feasibility Study. Bioengineering 2018, 5, 21.