Enhancing fibroblast proliferation for wound healing through chemical and physical methods

Abstract

When tissue damaged is incurred a wound healing cascade is activated, consisting of rapid haemostasis, appropriate inflammation, effective proliferation/repair and organised maturation/remodelling which together should led to an appropriate resolution. However in some situations, the wound healing process becomes jammed in a cycle of pathogenic inflammation, leading to the formation of chronic wounds which, through standard treatment fail to resolve accordingly, or relapse. This is a serious issue which costs many lives and billions of euros worldwide. The goal of this study was to delve into the effect of specific chemicals and electromagnetic frequencies on fibroblast proliferation, which is quintessential for normal wound healing as well as the resolution of chronic wounds. To test the effect of these novel approaches, a scratch assay screening method, as well as MTT proliferation assay were utilized to identify the best chemicals and frequencies and to determine whether the chemicals can be used together in synergistic fashion. The outcome of these experiments, was the identification of potential adjuvant pharmaceutical options for the treatment of chronic wounds in the form of chemical 198 (0.1μM) and chemical 273 (1μM) and Padina Pavonica Extract (PPE) (2ug/ml). However apart from the chemicals, two electromagnetic frequencies were identified as potential adjuvant treatment options and these were the 875 MHz frequency at 20 minutes exposure & 750 MHz frequency at 5 minute exposure and could possibly pave the way to a new and exciting field of electroceuticals, the use of electromagnetic frequencies to manage a pathology, or in this case chronic wound management. However for these chemicals and physical methods to advance from the theoretical to practical, further study is required, to first and foremost ensure that the observed proliferative effect is maintainable and does not cause long term-damage to the Human Dermal Fibroblasts (HDFs).