Bioactive Small Molecule Enhances Skin Burn Wound Healing and Hair Follicle Regeneration by Activating PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway: A Preclinical Evaluation in Animal Model

    February 2022 in “ Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology ”
    Ting-Hui Wu, Yan Zhang, Sasirekha Krishnan, Abinaya Jaisankar, Yu Wan, Shu-Juan Gong, Hang Zhou, Haitao Wang, Murugan Ramalingam, Shuwei Li
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    TLDR Shikonin, a small molecule, speeds up burn wound healing and hair growth by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway.
    The study evaluated the role of shikonin, a bioactive small molecule traditionally used in wound healing, in skin burn wound healing and hair follicle regeneration. A secondary skin burn model of mice was established and treated with shikonin ointment. The results showed that the shikonin treated group exhibited faster skin burn wound healing and more active hair follicle regeneration compared to the control group. Shikonin also inhibited the recruitment of macrophages, decreasing the expression of inflammatory factors. However, the use of LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3K, affected the wound healing process. The study concluded that shikonin promotes wound healing and protects deep hair follicles against burn skin injury by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
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