Regeneration Effects of Lespedeza cuneata Ethanol Extract on Experimental Open Wound in Rat

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to examine the skin regeneration ability of Lespedeza cuneata extract (LC) as well as verify its wound healing effects on an open wound in rats. Rats were divided into six groups (NO, saline treated group; CO, 1 % carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) treated group; PC, fucidin treated group; LCL, 1% LC treated group; LCM, 3 % LC treated group; LCH, 5 % LC treated group), and the experimental material was applied for 5 weeks. Elastase inhibition rate of the LCM group was 2.7 % lower than that of butylated hydroxy anisole (BHA), which is an antioxidant. Futher, the collagenase inhibition rate of the LCM showed 7 % higher activity than that of BHA. The left wound areas in the LCL group, LCM group, and LCH group after the 21st day were noticeably reduced in wound area by 54.2%, 53.5%, and 48.7%, respectively, compared to the CO group. This suggests that Lespedeza cuneata extract has healing effects on surgical wounds by promoting regeneration of skin epithelial tissue and synthesi