Proline (Pro) plays a versatile role in cell metabolism and physiology. Pro and hydroxypro are major imino acids present in collagen, an important connective tissue protein, essential for wound healing, which is a primary response to tissue injury. This study explains the role of L-pro on cutaneous wound healing in rats when administered both topically and orally. Open excision wounds were made on the back of rats, and 200 μl (200 mg) of pro was administered topically and orally once daily to the experimental rats until the wounds healed completely. The control wounds were left untreated. Granulation tissues formed were removed after day 4 and 8 of post excision wounding, and biochemical parameters such as total protein, collagen, hexosamine, and uronic acid were estimated. Levels of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, ascorbic acid, and reduced glutathione were evaluated along with lipid peroxides in the granulation tissues. Tensile strength and period of epithelialization were also measured. It was observed that the treated wounds healed very fast as evidenced by augmented rates of epithelialization and wound contraction, which was also confirmed by histological examinations. The results strappingly authenticate the beneficial effects of the topical administration of L-proline in the acceleration of wound healing than the oral administration and control.

Gentiana lutea Linn (Gentianaceae), commonly known as gentian, is widely used in the traditional system of medicine as an anti-inflammatory and wound healing agent. We examined the effectiveness of alcohol and petrol ether extracts of rhizomes of Gentiana lutea at 500 and 1000 mg/kg doses orally in the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, xylolinduced mouse ear edema and cotton pellet-induced chronic inflammatory models. Both extracts showed significant dosedependent anti-inflammatory activities in all of these models. Both extracts exhibited significant wound healing activity at 300 and 500 mg/kg, p.o., in excision, resutured incision and dead space wound models.

Objective: The populations of Kuwait and other Arabian Gulf States are very heterogeneous. Expatriates with different dietary habits constitute approximately 60% of the Kuwaiti population. The aim of this study was to establish a reference range of trace element levels in the serum of the normal population in Kuwait. Method: A total of 379 healthy males (n = 262) and females (n = 117) of various nationalities living in the State of Kuwait were studied. The serum concentrations of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) were measured and the copper/zinc (Cu/Zn) ratio was calculated. Results: The study established the serum Zn, Cu and Se levels in the studied population. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the serum levels of these elements among the different nationalities tested. A significantly higher serum Cu level and Cu/Zn ratio were seen in females. Conclusion: These findings can form the basis and reference for any future studies on trace elements in different pathologic conditions in the Arabian Gulf region.