Protective Effects of Exogenous Donkey Oil on Skin Healing Under Incisional Wound Damage.

BACKGROUND: The identification of cosmetic ingredients that promote wound healing with minimal inflammation is urgently needed. Donkey oil (DO) is a promising candidate due to its nutritional richness and biosafety. AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of DO in promoting wound healing and to elucidate its underlying mechanisms of action. METHODS: A murine incisional wound model was established. Wounds were treated with 12.5%, 25%, or 50% DO. Healing was assessed through phenotypic observation, H&E staining, quantification of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, IL-6, PGE2, and CCL2) and VEGF, transcriptome sequencing, and qPCR validation. RESULTS: Treatment with 25% and 50% DO significantly accelerated wound closure by 35.22% and 34.33%, respectively, and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration by 63.77% and 79.00%. Furthermore, DO preserved skin structural integrity, concurrently inhibited inflammatory cytokines increased VEGF levels, and reduced MMP-9. To explore the potential mechanism, transcriptome analysis identified 13 603 shared differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Subsequent GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated these DEGs were involved in key processes like actin cytoskeleton organization and pathways related to anti-infection and cell repair. Finally, qPCR confirmed the reversal of IL-6 and CCL2 expression and the upregulation of TGF-α. CONCLUSIONS: DO significantly promotes wound healing by modulating anti-inflammatory responses and enhancing tissue repair mechanisms, demonstrating its great potential as an effective cosmetic ingredient.