EVALUATION OF SHIKONIN ON GRANULATION-TISSUE FORMATION COMPARED WITH CARRAGEENAN

The effect of shikonin (SK) on granulation tissue formation was bioche mically evaluated and the biological effect of SK on cotton pellet ind uced granulation tissue formation and the induction of hind paw edema was compared with that of lambda-carrageenan (carrageenan) in rats. Th e dry weight of granulation tissue formed was increased by SK, The amo unts of hemoglobin and hydroxyproline in granulation tissue were also increased by SK, These results suggest that SK has an enhancing effect on the formation of granulation tissue, accompanied by the proliferat ion of capillaries and the increased production of collagen in rats. S K showed mild stimulation toward swelling when injected into the hind paws of rats, as did carrageenan, while it showed a marked enhancing e ffect on granulation tissue formation compared with carrageenan, These results suggest that the mechanism underlying the biological effect o f SK on granulation tissue formation is different from that of carrage enan, though the mild stimulation by SIC might still contribute in par t to the enhancing effect on granulation tissue formation.