title: Ointment of Brassica oleracea var. capitata Matures the Extracellular Matrix in Skin Wounds of Wistar Rats.
abstract: Wound healing is a complex process that aims to restore damaged tissue. Phytotherapeutics, such as cabbage, Brassica oleracea var. capitata (Brassicaceae), and sunflower, Helianthus annuus L. (Asteraceae) oil, are used as wound healers. Five circular wounds, each 12 mm in diameter, were made in the dorsolateral region of each rat. The animals were divided into four groups: balsam (B. oleracea); ointment (B. oleracea); sunflower oil (Helianthus annuus); control (saline solution 0.9%). These products were applied daily for 20 days and every four days the tissues of different wounds were removed. The wound contraction area, total collagen, types I and III collagen, glycosaminoglycans, and tissue cellularity were analyzed. In the groups that received ointment and balsam there was reduction in the wound area on days 4, 8, 12, and 20. Throughout the trial period, the balsam and ointment groups showed a higher amount of total collagen, type I collagen, and glycosaminoglycan compared to the others groups. The rats in the groups treated with B. oleracea var. capitata showed a higher number of cells on days 8, 16, and 20. B. oleracea was effective in stimulating the maturation of collagen and increasing the cellularity, as also in improving the mechanical resistance of the newly formed tissue.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, 36570-000 Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mariáurea Matias
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Sarandy
authors.affiliation: Department of Structural Biology, Federal University of Alfenas, 37130-000 Alfenas, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rômulo Dias
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Novaes
authors.affiliation: Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, 36570-000 Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sérgio Luiz Pinto
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: da Matta
authors.affiliation: Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, 36570-000 Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jose Mario da Silveira
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mezencio
authors.affiliation: North University Center of the Espirito Santo, Federal University of Espirito Santo, 29932-540 São Mateus, ES, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo Barreto
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, Federal University of Viçosa, 36570-000 Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: José Cola
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Zanuncio
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, 36570-000 Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Reggiani Vilela
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Gonçalves