BackgroundThe efficacy of Centella asiatica for incision and burn wounds are not fully understood. Here, we report the wound healing activities of sequential hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water extracts of Centella asiatica in incision and partial-thickness burn wound models in rats.MethodsMale Sprague–Dawley rats weighing 250–300 g were randomly divided into incision and burn wound groups. Each group was stratified into seven subgroups: (1) untreated; (2) NSS-; (3) Tween 20®- (vehicle control); (4) hexane extract-; (5) ethyl acetate extract-; (6) methanol extract-; and (7) aqueous extract-treated groups. The test substances were applied topically once daily. The tensile strength of the incision wound was measured on the seventh day after wound infliction. The general appearance and degree of wound healing of the burn wound were assessed on Days 3, 7, 10 and 14 after burn injury and prior to histopathological evaluation.ResultsOn the seventh day after wound infliction, the tensile strength of incision wound in all extract-treated groups was significantly higher than that of the vehicle control (Tween 20®), but comparable to the NSS-treated group. The degrees of healing in the burn wound with the four extracts were significantly higher than that of the control on Days 3, 10 and 14. Histopathological findings on Day 14 after burn injury revealed prominent fibrinoid necrosis and incomplete epithelialization in the control and untreated groups, whereas fully developed epithelialization and keratinization were observed in all extract-treated groups. Analysis by thin layer chromatography demonstrated that the phyto-constituents β-sitosterol, asiatic acid, and asiaticoside and madecassocide were present in the hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts, respectively.ConclusionsAll extracts of Centella asiatica facilitate the wound healing process in both incision and burn wounds. Asiatic acid in the ethyl acetate extract seemed to be the most active component for healing the wound.

Background: Pressure ulcers are one of the most common complications of immobility resulting from pressure and shear. Whole-body vibration (WBV) has been shown to increase skin blood flow but little information is known about its effect on pressure ulcers. This study investigated the effects of WBV on wound healing in a mouse pressure ulcer model. Methods: Two cycles of ischemia-reperfusion were performed by external application of two magnetic plates to dorsal skin to induce stage II pressure ulcers characterized by partial-thickness skin loss with exposed dermis. A total of 32 male ICR mice were randomly and equally divided into untreated control and the WBV groups. Immediately after the completion of 2-cycle ischemia-reperfusion injury, mice in the WBV group participated in a WBV program using a vibrator (frequency 45 Hz, peak acceleration 0.4 g, vertical motion) for 30 min/day and 5 consecutive days/week. At days 7 and 14 post-ulceration, wound closure rate was assessed. Wound tissues were harvested for determination of collagen deposition in Masson's trichrome stained sections, neutrophil infiltration and capillary density in hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections, as well as TNF-α and VEGF levels using ELISA. Results: TNF-α levels and neutrophil infiltration were significantly decreased in wounds on days 7 and 14 of WBV treatment. Moreover, wound closure rate and collagen deposition were remarkably accelerated on day 14. Tissue VEGF and capillary density were unaffected by WBV at either time point. Conclusions: These findings suggest that WBV has the potential to promote the healing process of stage II pressure ulcers, as evidenced by attenuation of wound inflammation and enhancement collagen deposition.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine thermoregulatory and cardiovascular responses as well as the occurrence of heat illness in children exercising outdoors in physical education class under hot and humid climate. Little information regarding this issue under real-life situation is available, especially in the Southeast Asia.DesignAnalytical, prospective descriptive study.SettingA primary school in Bangkok, Thailand.ParticipantsA total of 457 schoolboys (aged 5.5–12 years) were observed while exercising outdoors during their physical education classes throughout the academic year of 2009, including semester 1 (between July and September 2009) and semester 2 (between November 2009 and February 2010).Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrimary outcome measure was tympanic temperature. Secondary outcome measures included blood pressure, heart rate, hydration status and the occurrence of heat-related illness.ResultsOutdoor physical activity consisted of skill practice (duration 24.11±11.04 min, intensity <3 metabolic equivalent of tasks) and playing sports (duration 11.48±5.53 min, intensity 2.6–8.8 metabolic equivalent of tasks). After exercise, tympanic temperature increased by 0.66±0.41°C. There were 20 (4.4%) students whose ear temperature exceeded 38°C, 18 of whom did not consume water. The RR of increasing body temperature up to 38°C in overweight students was 2.1-fold higher than normal-weight students. The per cent change in mean arterial pressure and heart rate increased by 20.16±15.34% and 23.94±19.78%, respectively. Sweat and dehydration rates were 391.16±186.75 ml/h and 0.63±0.26%, respectively. No evidence of heat illness was found. Wet bulb globe temperatures of semesters 1 and 2 were 29.95±1.87°C and 28.32±2.39°C, respectively.ConclusionsThere is an increased risk for heat illness during outdoor activities in physical education class in primary school children, especially those who are overweight and have poor hydration status.

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