Liposome-encapsulated farnesol accelerated tissue repair in third-degree burns on a rat model

Third-degree or full-thickness burns refer to lesions that extend to the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. The pathophysiology of burn wounds is characterized by tissue inflammation, edema, and hypertrophic scarring. Farnesol is a natural 15-carbon organic compound that possesses many biological effects. We have previously demonstrated that farnesol gel exerts restorative actions on ultraviolet B (UVB)-caused sunburn in vivo. The in vitro results revealed that liposomal farnesol from 0.04mM to 0.8mM significantly enhanced collagen production by murine skin fibroblasts, whereas liposomal farnesol at high (0.8mM) and low concentration (0.04mM) did not show any suppressions on skin fibroblast proliferation. We treated third-degree burns on a rat model with a formulated gel composed of various ratios of 2% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and 4mM liposomal farnesol for 7 and 14 days. On days 7 and 14 post wounding, histopathological observations revealed that the HPMC:farnesol gel ratios of 1:2 and 2:1 exerted the greatest tissue-repairing effects on the skin after third-degree burns compared with skin untreated or treated with a commercial burn gel and HPMC alone. These findings were consistent with the in vivo quantitative collagen-producing assay, wound healing scoring, and IL-6 Western blot results. These findings demonstrated that the fabricated liposomal farnesol gel is potentially able to promote wound healing after third-degree burns.