Granuloma maturation in the rat is advanced by the oral administration of Eucommia ulmoides OLIVER leaf

We have reported that collagen metabolism was improved by the administratio n of Eucommia ulmoides OLIVER leaf, In this paper, we examine the granuloma maturation and deposition of collagen in the granuloma of rats due to the oral administration of this leaf. After 3 weeks of the oral administration, granuloma formation was induced by the formalin soaked filter paper-pellet method. A week later, the developing granuloma was dissected. Granuloma fo rmation was significantly increased due to ingestion of the dried leaf at a dose of 1.8 g/kg of body weight/d. The collagen content in the granuloma w as also significantly increased. In the case of the collagen profile, the p epsin-solubilized collagen content and its relative percentage to the total collagen were significantly higher than in the control. Histochemical exam ination showed that the granuloma tissues were well developed, and displaye d many newly synthesized capillary vessels and a greater quantity of fibrob lasts and monocytes in the 1.8 g leaf group. High density lipoprotein (HDL) -cholesterol and triglyceride content in the blood plasma were significantl y higher than in the control, These results show that granuloma maturation was accelerated and the energy was supplied from fatty acid metabolism. The administration of Eucommia ulmoides OLIVER leaf may be effective at speedi ng up the wound healing process.