Rheum rhabarbarum extract promotes healing of the incision through relieving inflammation and stimulating angiogenesis.

As one of the most important treatment strategies in clinic, surgery has improved to be more and more efficient and safe. However, the infection risk of incision caused by surgery is still the main concern of patients. In our research, we found extract of Rheum rhabarbarum (rhubarb) could be used to diminish this risk through promoting the healing of the incision. Using MTT assay, flow cytometry and clinical statics, we also tried to explore the mechanism of rhubarb's effect. The data showed that rhubarb extract decreased the number of leukocytesand neutrophils and inhibited the growth of bacteria. Moreover, the vascular endothelial cells cultured in medium containing rhubarb extract grow faster than control. The flow cytometry also demonstrates that the ratio of cells in S and G2/M phase increase after treated with rhubarb extract. There after, we hypothesize that rhubarb extract can promote incision healing through relieving inflammation and stimulating angiogenesis.