RESEARCH ARTICLE

Journal of Oil Palm Research Vol. 34 (3) September 2022, p. 546-561

TOPICAL APPLICATION OF THE PALM TOCOTRIENOL-RICH FRACTION (TRF) ENHANCES CUTANEOUS WOUND HEALING IN TYPE 2 DIABETIC MICE

ZAIZUHANA SHAHRIM1,2*; SUZANA MAKPOL2; GEOK CHIN TAN3; NURUL AISHAH MUHAMMAD1 and ZAFARIZAL ALDRIN AZIZUL HASAN1

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21894/jopr.2021.0054
Received: 26 April 2021   Accepted: 15 November 2021   Published Online: 5 January 2022
ABSTRACT

Type 2 diabetic (T2D) wounds are characterised by excessive, persistent inflammation and oxidative stress, resulting in delayed healing. The tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) has potential as a therapeutic agent in improving diabetic wounds due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the effect of the TRF on diabetic cutaneous wounds using a T2D mouse model. Full-thickness wounds were made on the backs of mice, and the TRF formulation was topically applied. The effect of the TRF was evaluated by examining wound closure, histology, CD31 immunohistochemistry and collagen deposition with Masson’s trichrome staining. Biochemical assessments of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), myeloperoxidase (MPO), protein levels, transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1), metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and cytokine production were performed. The results showed that TRF treatment enhanced wound closure and healing in the T2D mouse wounds. The TRF increased CAT, GPx, protein, hydroxyproline and TGF-β1 levels but reduced MPO activity and MMP-9 production in diabetic wounds. Multiplex immunoassay revealed that the TRF modulated proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine production. However, it increased interleukin-4 (IL-4) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production and reduced granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Our data suggest that topical TRF application may enhance diabetic cutaneous wound healing.

KEYWORDS:


1 Malaysian Palm Oil Board,
6 Persiaran Institusi, Bandar Baru Bangi,
43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia.

2 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine,
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM Medical Center,
Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak Cheras,
56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

3 Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine,
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM Medical Center,
Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak,
56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

* Corresponding author e-mail: zaizuhana@mpob.gov.my