Topical Applications of Thiosulfinate-Enriched Allium sativum Extract Accelerates Acute Cutaneous Wound Healing in Murine Model

Objective To determine whether topical applications of thiosulfinate-enriched Allium sativum extract(TASE)can accelerate acute cutaneous wound healing(WH)in a murine model.Methods Keratinocyte viability and in vitro wound closure were assessed in keratinocyte cultures.Effects of topical TASE(0.5μg/mL of allicin in 97%ethanol)on acute cutaneous WH were determined in a murine model of acute cutaneous wound.Twelve mice were alternately assigned to the vehicle-and TASE-treated groups(n=6 per group).Expression levels of mRNA for keratinocyte differentiation marker-related proteins(filaggrin,loricrin and involucrin)and lipid synthetic enzymes(elongation of very long chain fatty acids protein 4(ELOVL4),fatty acid synthase(FA2H),3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase(HMGCoA),and serine palmitoyltransferase(SPT))were assessed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction on day 3 and 8 after wounding,while transepidermal water loss(TEWL)rates were measured in wounded areas.Results TASE accelerated WH both in vivo(40%vs.22%reduction in wound area,P<0.01)and in vitro(90%vs.65%reduction in wound area,P<0.01).Moreover,topical applications of TASE upregulated the expression levels of epidermal mRNA for ELOVL4,HMGCoA,SPT,filaggrin,loricrin and involucrin(P<0.05 vs.vehicle-treated controls)on day 3 after wounding.Likewise,TASE significantly lowered TEWL rates in comparison with vehicle alone on day 8(33.06±2.09 g/(m^2·h)vs.24.60±2.04 g/(m^2·h),P<0.01).Conclusions Topical applications of TASE stimulated keratinocyte proliferation and formation of epidermal permeability barrier function,leading to acceleration of acute cutaneous WH.Topical products containing TASE could be used to manage acute cutaneous WH.

Preparation of Garlic Powder with High Allicin Content

Garlic powder with high allicin content was prepared using microwave-vacuum and vacuum drying as well as microencapsulation to protect alliinase activity throughout the stomach and improve the ratio of alliin transforming into allicin. The results showed that the optimal drying condition was 376.1 W for 3 min, 282.1 W for 3 min, 188 W for 9 min, and 94 W for 3 min. The thiosulfinates retention after drying was 90.2%. Following drying, the garlic powder was microencapsulated by modified fluidized bed technique. Scanning electron microscope revealed good integrity and core materials that were embedded in the microcapsules. Studies on the release kinetics of microencapsulated garlic granulates in vitro using simulated intestinal fluid indicated that release of garlic powder could be controlled in the intestine by passing stomach conditions.