STUDY OF THE ACCELERATING EFFECT OF SHIKONIN AND ALKANNIN ON THE PROLIFERATION OF GRANULATION-TISSUE IN RATS

The present study was carried out to compare the accelerating effect o f shikonin and alkannin and to elucidate-the expression of CD antigen and histological changes on the proliferation of granulation tissue in rats. Shikonin and alkannin produced a dose-dependent acceleration of the cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation and this accelerating p otency of both compounds on the proliferation of granulation tissue wa s about the same 5 and 10 d after implantation of the cotton pellet. A lso, both compounds increased the ratio of CD11b(+) cells in the granu lation tissue 5 and 10 d after implantation of the cotton pellet. Both compounds increased the expression of CD11b(+) cells with granulocyte s such as macrophages and histiocytes, and then accelerated the prolif eration of fibroblasts and collagen fiber. On the other hand, neither compound increased the ratio of CD3(+) cells in the granulation tissue after 5 and 10 d. These results suggest that shikonin and alkannin ac celerate the proliferation of granulation tissue induced by the cotton pellet and this accelerating effect may be attributed to an increase in the expression of CD11b(+) cells, and the acceleration of the proli feration of fibroblasts and collagen fiber in the granulation tissue.