Angiogenic and MMPs modulatory effects of icariin improved cutaneous wound healing in rats

Icariin is a flavonoid from plant belonging to the genus Epimedium, commonly known as Horny goat weed or Yin Yang Huo. The compound possesses multiple biological activities which are associated with the modulation of many signalling pathways, like NF-κB, Erk-p38-JNK, and release of various cytokines and growth factors. The present study determined wound healing potential of icariin in male Wistar rats. Icariin ointment (0%, 0.004%, 0.02%, 0.1% and 0.5%), was applied daily (b.i.d.) for 14 days on ≈ 400 mm² cutaneous wound in different groups of rats. On day 14 post-wounding, 0.1% and 0.5% icariin treatment significantly (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively) increased wound contraction, as compared to control. Western blots revealed upregulation of IL-10 and downregulation of NF-κB and TNF-α. Increased expression of CD-31 showed abundance of microvessels in healing tissues after treatment with icariin. The MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities were reduced in icariin treated groups. Masson's trichrome staining revealed relatively better completion of re-epithelisation as well as increased deposition of well organised collagen fibres in the healing tissues compared to control. It is concluded that icariin has potential to accelerate cutaneous wound healing in rats.