Pig’s Toenail Egg Yolk Ointment Promotes Pressure Ulcer Healing via PI3K‑Akt Pathway
A randomized controlled trial published in *International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds* (June 2025) evaluated a novel traditional medicine—pig’s toenail egg yolk ointment—against standard wound dressings in stage III–IV pressure ulcers. The study also explored its biological mechanism in an animal model.
Key Highlights:
- Clinical Benefits: In 80 patients, those treated with the ointment achieved significantly better outcomes, including lower PUSH scores, faster wound healing, and reduced dressing costs compared to controls.
- Enhanced Angiogenesis: Rats treated with the ointment showed accelerated ulcer closure, increased blood vessel growth, and reduced inflammatory infiltration.
- Molecular Mechanism: Treatment activated the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway—evidenced by increased phosphorylated PI3K and Akt—and elevated VEGF levels, while decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β.
- Dual Action: The ointment appears to simultaneously promote neovascularization and modulate inflammation, offering a combined pathway to improved healing.
This study suggests pig’s toenail egg yolk ointment may offer a cost-effective, mechanism-based alternative for managing severe pressure ulcers—pending further trials to confirm safety, consistency, and scalability.
Based on Jiansheng Shao et al., “Pig’s Toenail Egg Yolk Ointment Promotes Pressure Ulcer Healing via the PI3K-Akt Pathway,” *Int J Low Extrem Wounds*, June 2025.
Keywords: PI3K‑Akt pathway, pressure ulcer treatment, angiogenesis, inflammation modulation, traditional medicine
🔬 Spotlight: Bioactive Topicals Targeting Angiogenesis and Inflammation
As pressure ulcer research explores natural and molecularly active treatments, several commercial and investigational agents aim to mimic or enhance similar healing pathways—especially those involving the PI3K‑Akt axis and VEGF-driven angiogenesis.
- Medihoney® (Derma Sciences): A medical-grade honey dressing known to support angiogenesis and reduce inflammation. Used in chronic wounds including pressure ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers.
- Epiflo® (Ogenix): A continuous-flow topical oxygen therapy that stimulates angiogenesis through hypoxia-inducible factors, indirectly affecting PI3K/Akt and VEGF expression.
- Becaplermin gel (Regranex®): A recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor (rhPDGF) that directly promotes angiogenesis and fibroblast recruitment in diabetic ulcers. Though not directly PI3K-targeting, its mechanism overlaps via downstream effects.
- Amniotic Membrane Extracts (e.g., Grafix®, EpiFix®): These biologics contain growth factors including VEGF, EGF, and bFGF that support tissue regeneration, epithelialization, and neovascularization.
- Curcumin-based topicals: Found in some experimental or compounded preparations, curcumin may suppress inflammatory cytokines and activate Akt signaling, though more clinical validation is needed.
Topical agents that modulate key healing pathways—especially those targeting both vascularization and cytokine control—offer exciting adjuncts to traditional wound care. While pig’s toenail egg yolk ointment is not yet commercially available, it reflects a broader trend toward harnessing bioactive formulations with dual molecular action.