Red ginseng is an immune-enhancing compound that exhibits anti-inflammatory action. The ginsenoside Rg1, an ingredient of red ginseng, has been shown to play an important role in tumor suppression, wound healing, and angiogenesis. This study evaluated the effects of red ginseng extract and Rg1 in a diabetic wound model. Diabetes was induced with streptozotocin (STZ) in 8-week-old male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice weighing 30–35 g. A full-thickness skin defect was treated by applying a dressing every 3 days. The mice were divided into three groups. Group 1 was administered an extract of red ginseng (10 mg/kg/d, n = 27, oral) and group 2 was administered Rg1 (10 mg/kg/d, n = 27, oral). Group 3 was a control group treated with phosphate-buffered saline (0.3 mL/kg/d, n = 27, oral). Red ginseng extract and Rg1 were orally administered to mice daily for 10 days following injury in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Both increased mRNA and protein levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 compared to controls. In addition, the wounds of animals in the Rg1 group were significantly smaller between days 7 and 10 (p < 0.05). VEGF and TGF-β1 were not expressed in diabetic mice in the control group. Both red ginseng extract and Rg1 promoted the production of VEGF and TGF-β1, which are important in wound healing. Our results for Rg1 suggest its potential to promote diabetic wound healing by stimulating the production or activity of VEGF and TGF-β1 factors involved in the wound healing process.

Background and Objectives: Diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) are a major component of air pollution and adversely affect respiratory and cardiovascular disease and diabetic foot ulcers if diabetic patients are exposed to them. There are currently no studies on treating diabetic wounds exposed to DEPs. So, the effect of a combination of probiotics and Korean red ginseng on a diabetic wound model exposed to DEPs was confirmed. Materials and Methods: Rats were randomly divided into three groups according to DEP inhalation concentration and whether they underwent applications of probiotics (PB) and Korean red ginseng (KRG). Wound tissue was collected from all rats, and wound healing was evaluated using molecular biology and histology methods. Results: The wound size of all groups decreased over time, but there was no significant difference. As a result of the molecular biology experiment, the expression of NF-κB p65 on day 7 was significantly higher in group 2 than in the normal control group. As a result of histological analysis, unlike the primary control group, it was confirmed that granule tissue was formed on the 14th day in the normal control group and group 2. Conclusions: The findings in this study suggest that combined treatment with PB and KRG can promote the healing of DEP-exposed diabetic wounds.

Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the cytotoxicity and antibacterial effects of AgNP-impregnated Tetracalcium phosphate-dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (TTCP-DCPD). Materials and Methods: Using in vitro experiments, the cytotoxicity of AgNP-impregnated TTCP-DCPD against fibroblasts and osteocytes was assessed in terms of cell viability by water-soluble tetrazolium salt assay. To assess antibacterial effects, a disc diffusion test was used; osteomyelitis was induced first in vivo, by injection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus into the tibia of rats. AgNP-impregnated TTCP-DCPD bone cement was then applied at various silver concentrations for 3 or 12 weeks. Antibacterial effects were assessed by culturing and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). For histological observation, the bone tissues were stained using hematoxylin and eosin. Results: Cell viability was decreased by the impregnated bone cement but did not differ according to AgNP concentration. The diameter of the growth-inhibited zone of MRSA was between 4.1 and 13.3 mm on the disks treated with AgNP, indicating antimicrobial effects. In vivo, the numbers of bacterial colonies were reduced in the 12-week treatment groups compared to the 3-week treatment groups. The groups treated with a higher (10×) dose of AgNP (G2–G5) showed a tendency of lower bacterial colony counts compared to the group without AgNP (G1). The PCR analysis results showed a tendency of decreased bacterial gene expression in the AgNP-impregnated TTCP-DCPD groups (G2–G5) compared to the group without AgNP (G1) at 3 and 12 weeks. In the H&E staining, the degree of inflammation and necrosis of the AgNP-impregnated TTCP-DCPD groups (G2–G5) showed a tendency to be lower at 3 and 12 weeks compared to the control group. Our results suggest that AgNP-impregnated TTCP-DCPD cement has antimicrobial effects. Conclusions: This study indicates that AgNP-impregnated TTCP-DCPD bone cement could be considered to treat osteomyelitis.