Biotech Updates

Extract from GM Red Sage Accelerates Burn Wound Healing

August 13, 2014

The human acidic fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1) plays a role in angiogenesis and tissue repair. Red sage (Salvia miltiorrhiza) is an herb medicine used in traditional Chinese treatment of various diseases. Dehu Liu, from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and a team of researchers now examine if expressing FGF-1 in red sage can accelerate the herb's effect in healing of burn wounds.

The FGF-1 was expressed in transgenic S.miltiorrhiza plants with the highest levels observed in the leaves. The extract from transgenic S. miltiorrhiza stimulated proliferation of mouse fibroblast cells and promoted angiogenesis in chicken embryos. The extract possessed the therapeutic functions of both FGF-1 and red sage. Topical application of the extract significantly accelerated the burn wound healing process.

For more on this study, please visit: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6750/14/74/abstract.