@article {1453, title = {Fabrication of Snail Mucin-Silk Fibroin Hydrogel Scaffold for Guided Tissue Regeneration: A Zebrafish Fin Model Study}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {June 2025}, pages = {927-933}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {927}, abstract = {

Background: Scaffolds play a pivotal role in guiding tissue regeneration by providing a suitable environment for cell growth, migration, and differentiation. Among various materials, biopolymers such as silk fibroin and snail mucin have garnered attention due to their biocompatibility, natural origin, and potential to promote cellular activities. Objectives: In this study, we explore the fabrication of a novel Snail Mucin-Silk Fibroin hydrogel scaffold designed to enhance tissue regeneration. Materials and Methods: The hydrogel scaffold has been prepared by mixing 28\% w/v gelatin, 21\% w/v PVA in distilled water and 10\% HPMC, and heated to 40{\textordmasculine}C followed by addition of a snail mucin and silk fibroin at a lower temperature and freeze dried at 4{\textordmasculine}C for 12 hr. Results: The characterization tests showed the scaffold{\textquoteright}s favourable biological properties and morphology, such as biocompatibility, hemocompatibility, ability to retain moisture, and promotion of cellular activities essential for tissue repair. Histopathological analysis showed that the snail mucin-silk fibroin hydrogel scaffold significantly enhanced fin regeneration compared to the control groups. Conclusion: Thus, the snail mucin hydrogel used in this study showed better soft tissue regeneration potential and hence be used for various applications in regenerative medicine.

}, keywords = {Hydrogel, Regeneration, Silk Fibroin, Snail Mucin, Zebra Fish}, doi = {10.5530/pres.20252176}, author = {Sofia Sebastian and Bargavi Purushothaman and Pratibha Ramani} } @article {521, title = {Wound Healing Activity of Silibinin in Mice}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {8}, year = {2016}, month = {August 2016}, pages = {298-302}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {298}, abstract = {

Background: Silibinin is a semi-purified fraction of silymarin contained in milk thistle (Silybum marianum Asteraceae). Primarily known for its hepatoprotective actions, silymarin may also stimulate epithelialization and reduce inflammation in excision wound. Previous studies show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial actions of silibinin. However, wound healing property of silibinin is not well studied. Objective: This study investigates wound healing activity of silibinin topical formulation. Materials and Methods: Wound healing activity of 0.2\% silibinin gel was assessed by incision and excision wound models in mice. Animals were divided into gel base, silibinin gel, and Mega Heal gel{\textregistered} treated groups with six animals in each group. Wound contraction, wound tissue tensile strength, and hydroxyproline content were measured, and histopathological evaluation of wound tissue of all the above treatment groups was carried out. Results: Application of 0.2\% silibinin hydrogel for 8 days led to 56.3\% wound contraction compared to 64.6\% using standard Mega Heal gel with a subsequent increase in hydroxyproline content, which was significantly higher (P \< 0.001) over control animals showing 33.2\% contraction. After 14 days, percentage of contraction reached 96.1\%, 97.6\%, and 86.7\%, respectively. Wound tissue tensile strength with silibinin (223.55 {\textpm} 3.82 g) and standard (241.38 {\textpm} 2.49 g) was significantly higher (P \< 0.001) than control (174.06 {\textpm} 5.75 g). Histopathology of silibinin and standard gel treated wound tissue showed more fibroblasts, fewer macrophage infiltration, and well-formed collagen fibers. Conclusion: Here, we show potent wound healing activity of silibinin hydrogel formulation.

}, keywords = {Excision wound, Hydrogel, Hydroxyproline, Incision wound, Silibinin}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.188880}, author = {Rojalini Samanta and Ashok K. Pattnaik and Kishanta K. Pradhan and Beena K. Mehta and Shakti P. Pattanayak and Sugato Banerjee} }