title: Topical Brazilian propolis improves corneal wound healing and inflammation in rats following alkali burns.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the Brazilian Scaptotrigona sp propolis, a widely used folk medicine, in corneal wound healing and inflammation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Corneal epithelial defects of 1 mm in diameter were made in the right eyes of Wistar male adult rats by cauterization with silver nitrate sticks. Subsequently, they were divided in two groups (n = 40 rats/group): Brazilian propolis (BP) group was topically treated with a microemulsion containing 1% Brazilian propolis; vehicle (VH) group received the same formulation without propolis. The epithelial defect area was photographed and measured at t = 0 (wound induction), and after 12, 24, 48 and 120 h of treatment. The inflammatory response was evaluated based on counting of neutrophils. Epithelial regeneration rates were determined based on Ki-67 expression in basal epithelial cells. Comparisons were made using the Kruskal-Wallis and the Mann-Whitney U test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The BP group presented both smaller epithelial defect areas at 12, 24 and 48 h and fewer corneal infiltrating neutrophils at 24 and 48 h (P < 0.01) than the VH group. These effects were associated with more pervasive Ki-67 staining in the BP group at 12 and 24 h (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topically applied BP accelerated wound healing and reduced the inflammatory response to silver nitrate-induced corneal alkali burns in rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto - University of São Paulo, Av, Bandeirantes, 3900 - 12°, Andar, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. jspaula@fmrp.usp.br.
authors.forename: Luiz Fernando Taranta
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Eduardo Melani
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.forename: Sérgio Britto
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Jayter Silva
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Paula
mesh_terms: D000468:Alkalies; D000818:Animals; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D020556:Neutrophil Infiltration; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011429:Propolis / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012835:Silver Nitrate; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000468:Alkalies; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011429:Propolis; D012835:Silver Nitrate