Healing process in mice model of surgical wounds enhanced by Phyllocaulis boraceiensis mucus.
OBJECTIVE
Phyllocaulis boraceiensis mucus has been studied as a potential source of new natural compounds that are capable of inducing proliferation and remodeling tissue. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical aspects of healing in the wounded mouse skin, which was treated with an ointment that was composed of mucus, which was released by P boraceiensis.


METHODS
Mice were submitted to a 1-cm dorsal excision. The control group (T1) was treated with papain; the T2 group was treated with papain that was associated with 0.18 μg/μL of mucus; and the T3 group was treated with papain that was associated with 0.012 μg/μL of mucus.


RESULTS
Accelerated proliferation was observed after 3 days in the T3 group, presenting a high deposition of fibroblasts at the wound margin, whereas accelerated proliferation in the T1 group began 5 days after surgery. The T2 group presented inflammation during all periods of observation, and even when healing had already begun, the new tissue showed capillary fragility. Remodeling began after 4 days in the T3 group, whereas remodeling began after 6 days in the other groups. T3 showed edema, hyperemia, and bleeding only until the fifth day, and granulation and scar tissues intensely appeared from the 11th day forward. T1 and T2 groups exhibited edema, hyperemia, and bleeding until the 11th day, and granulation and scar tissues appeared after the 13th day.


CONCLUSIONS
The healing process and wound closure were efficient after the daily application of 0.012 μg/μL P boraceiensis mucus.
Ana Rita de Toledo-Piza, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Scientist, and Durvanei Augusto Maria, PhD, MSc, is a Scientific Researcher; both at the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil.
Ana Rita de
AR
Toledo-Piza
Durvanei Augusto
DA
Maria
D000818:Animals; D001688:Biological Products / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000502:physiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D049851:Gastropoda; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009093:Mucus; D009824:Ointments; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000293:injuries / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy*
D001688:Biological Products; D009824:Ointments