Hypertrophic scars formed after
burns remain a challenge in clinical practice. Development of effective
scar therapies relies on validated animal models that mimic human
hypertrophic scars. A consistent porcine full-thickness
burn hypertrophic scar model has yet to be developed. We have previously reported that
Shikonin induces apoptosis and reduces
collagen production in
hypertrophic scar fibroblasts in vitro and may therefore hold potential as a novel
scar remediation
therapy. In this study, we aimed to validate the potential of
Shikonin on
scar remediation in vivo. A novel porcine
hypertrophic scar model was created after full-thickness
burn wounds, and the effect of
Shikonin on
scar remediation was investigated. Clinical
scar assessments, histology, and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate
scar appearance, morphology, and
protein expression. Eight weeks after
scar formation, clinical
scar assessment indicated that the score of
hypertrophic scars treated with
Shikonin was significantly lower than that of the control group.
Hypertrophic scars treated with
Shikonin appeared flat, pink, and pliable. In addition, histological analysis indicated that
hypertrophic scars treated with
Shikonin exhibited reduced thickness of the epidermis and dermis, thin and even epithelial layers, reduced numbers of keratinocytes, uniform distribution of fibroblasts, and a parallel and loose arrangement of
collagen fibers in the dermis. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis indicated that
Shikonin inhibited the expression of p63,
cytokeratin 10, alpha-smooth muscle actin,
transforming growth factor-beta 1, and
collagen I, which play important roles in
hypertrophic scar formation. Based on these results, we conclude that
Shikonin has potential as a novel
scar therapy.