The identification of functional proteins from amputated lumbricus Eisenia fetida on the wound healing process

Earthworm has a long history of being used for medical purposes in many countries. This study investigated the therapeutic effects of earthworm extract (G-90') from head-regenerating tissue of Eisenia fetida on wound healing process in vitro and in vivo. Among three salting out parts (ES1-ES3) of G-90', ES2 displayed the significant wound healing ability via promoting proliferation of fibroblast and keratinocyte as well as stimulating the expression of fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor in wound area. The wound healing-specific proteins in ES2 were further analysed by "bottom-up" proteomic analytic method. Two proteins in ES2 were identified through "bottom-up" analysis, but their effects on wound healing process remains enigmatic. The bioactive proteins (ES2) in G-90' enhance the proliferative phase in acute wound healing process, providing a new concept for transforming this natural material for use in wound therapy.