Abstract
Skin is the outermost layer of the human body that is constantly exposed to environmental stressors, such as UV radiation and toxic chemicals, and is susceptible to mechanical wounding and injury. The ability of the skin to repair injuries is paramount for survival and it is disrupted in a spectrum of disorders leading to skin pathologies. Diabetic patients often suffer from chronic, impaired wound healing, which facilitate bacterial infections and necessitate amputation. Here, we studied the effects of gallic acid (GA, 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid; a plant-derived polyphenolic compound) on would healing in normal and hyperglucidic conditions, to mimic diabetes, in human keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Our study reveals that GA is a potential antioxidant that directly upregulates the expression of antioxidant genes. In addition, GA accelerated cell migration of keratinocytes and fibroblasts in both normal and hyperglucidic conditions. Further, GA treatment activated factors known to be hallmarks of wound healing, such as focal adhesion kinases (FAK), c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (Erk), underpinning the beneficial role of GA in wound repair. Therefore, our results demonstrate that GA might be a viable wound healing agent and a potential intervention to treat wounds resulting from metabolic complications.
Highlights
Gallic acid (GA) is a 3,4,5-trihydoxybenzoic acid, a phenolic acid found in almost all plants including fruits, leaves, and wild flowers [1,2], and has been reported to possess powerful health benefits, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, neuroprotective, anticancer, and anti-diabetic properties [3].The skin comprising of outer epidermis, underlying connective tissue, and dermis functions as a barrier that protects the body from environmental stressors, such as pathogens, excessive water loss, temperature, and physical stress [4]
We examined the effect of GA on Diabetes mellitus (DM)-induced delayed wound healing in both keratinocytes and fibroblasts using high glucose-containing medium to mimic diabetes
We found that GA has antioxidant properties, as well as cell migration effects in both normal and high glucose
Summary
Gallic acid (GA) is a 3,4,5-trihydoxybenzoic acid, a phenolic acid found in almost all plants including fruits, leaves, and wild flowers [1,2], and has been reported to possess powerful health benefits, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, neuroprotective, anticancer, and anti-diabetic properties [3]. Molecules 2016, 21, 899 damage to the epidermis and/or dermal layers, necessitating repair through a wound healing process comprised of four sequential phases; homeostasis, inflammation, proliferation/re-epithelialization, and maturation [5] When this well-ordered process is disrupted by factors, such as age, hyperglycemia, poor circulation, repeated trauma, continuous pressure, infections, or systemic illnesses, the wound fails to close in an expected time frame developing into a chronic wound [6]. Both acute and chronic wounds represent a major public healthcare burden affecting a relatively large population [7]. Impaired skin wound healing, leading to chronic ulcers, a common complication of DM [13]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
