Enhanced effect of the leaves extract from <i>Prunus persica</i> var. <i>nucipersica</i> on antioxidation, collagen synthesis, re-epithelialization and angiogenesis for the improvement of skin wound healing

Although <i>Prunus persica</i> var. <i>nucipersica</i> (PPN) exerts antinociceptive, antipyretic, antitumor, anti-allergic, and anti-inflammatory activities with various benefits for human health, the efficacy of the leaf extract from PPN (PPNLE) for wound healing has not been studied yet. In this study, we found that PPNLE clearly affected the scavenging of <i>in vitro</i> free radicals for wound healing. Furthermore, in fibroblast cells, PPNLE significantly resulted in the increased mRNA and protein expressions of wound healing factors, and induced migration of fibroblast cells. In addition, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secreted from fibroblasts stimulated by PPNLE had an effect on the induction of tube formation, by enhancing VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) phosphorylation and activation of VEGFR2-mediated downstream pathways such as Protein kinase B (AKT) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in activation of endothelial cells for angiogenesis during wound repair. Moreover, in an <i>in vivo</i> rat model, it has been shown that PPNLE markedly improved skin injury by regulating collagen deposition, re-epithelialization, and neovascularization. These results suggest that PPNLE could be developed as a drug for skin wound healing.