Therapeutic Effects of Acorus calamus L. Extract on Radiation-induced Skin Injury in a Rat Model

Radiation-induced skin injury is a common and debilitating complication in cancer therapy, often resulting in delayed wound healing and increased patient discomfort. There are a few therapeutic drugs available for prevention or treatment. Traditional Chinese Medicine, specifically Acorus calamus L., has shown potential in treating various skin disorders, but its efficacy in radiation-induced skin injury remains underexplored. This study used a Sprague-Dawley rat model exposed to 45 Gy radiation to induce skin injury. Rats were treated with 10%, 20%, and 40% Acorus calamus L. extract for 45 days. Wound healing, inflammation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis were assessed using wound healing rates, histopathological analysis, cytokine measurements, TUNEL staining, and immunohistochemistry. Treatment with Acorus calamus L. accelerated wound healing, with the medium-dose group showing the highest healing rate (88.97% at 45 days). Histopathological analysis revealed reduced inflammation, improved collagen organization, and new blood vessel formation. Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) were significantly reduced, and apoptosis was decreased, with modulation of key apoptotic proteins (P53, Bax, Bcl-2). VEGF and bFGF expression were upregulated, promoting angiogenesis and tissue repair. Acorus calamus L. enhances the healing of radiation-induced skin injuries by reducing inflammation, inhibiting apoptosis, and promoting angiogenesis. These findings suggest its potential as a therapeutic agent for managing radiation-induced skin damage, providing a promising alternative for managing radiation-induced skin injuries in clinical oncology. Further studies are needed to clarify its molecular mechanisms.