Mast cell concentration and skin wound contraction in rats treated with Brazilian pepper essential oil (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate wound contraction and the concentration of mast cells in skin wounds treated with 5% BPT essential oil-based ointment in rats.


METHODS
Twenty rats, male, of adult age, were submitted to skin surgery on the right (RA) and left antimeres (LA) of the thoracic region. They were divided into two groups: control (RA - wounds receiving daily topical application of vaseline and lanolin) and treated (LA - wounds treated daily with the topical ointment). The skin region with wounds were collected at days 4, 7, 14 and 21 after surgery. Those were fixed in 10% formaldehyde and later processed for paraffin embedding. Sections were obtained and stained by H.E for histopathology analysis. The degree of epithelial contraction was measured and mast cell concentration were also evaluated.


RESULTS
The treated group showed higher mast cell concentrations (p<0.05) associated with increased contraction at day 7 and 14 respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Ointment containing 5% Brazilian pepper tree oil increases mast cell concentration and promotes skin wound contraction in rats.
UFRPE, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Lígia Reis Moura
LR
Estevão
UFRPE, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Juliana Pinto de
JP
Medeiros
UNIFESP, Brazil.
Ricardo Santos
RS
Simões
UFMG, Brazil.
Rosa Maria Esteves
RM
Arantes
UFMG, Brazil.
Milene Alvarenga
MA
Rachid
UNESP, Assis, SP, Brazil.
Regildo Márcio Gonçalves da
RM
Silva
UFRPE, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Fábio de Souza
Fde S
Mendonça
UFRPE, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Joaquim
J
Evêncio-Neto
D027926:Anacardiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D002452:Cell Count; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009824:Ointments; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D009822:Oils, Volatile; D009824:Ointments