Efficacy of a Silicone-Based Gel Containing Pracaxi Oil (Pentaclethra macroloba) for Treating Post-Surgical Scars

Abstract

Scars are an unavoidable consequence of cutaneous surgery. Healing with an excellent cosmetic outcome is a crucial component to any surgical wound to avoid any negative impact on quality of life. Various products exist which claim to improve post-surgical scar appearance and texture. In this blinded, randomized pilot study, we compared the efficacy of a silicone-based topical gel containing Pracaxi oil (PO Gel; Serica™ Moisturizing Scar Formula; Cynova Laboratories, Houston, TX) against a second silicone-based gel containing Cepalin onion extract (OE Gel; Mederma® Advanced Scar Gel, Merz, North America). The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), Physician and Subject Global Assessment of Scar Treatment, and digital photography were used to determine efficacy and superior post-surgical care treatment outcomes. Forty healthy subjects (18-75 years old) with recent surgical scar (1 to 4 months old) were randomized to PO gel or OE gel and asked to apply a topical solution three times daily for 8 weeks. There were six study visits (Baseline and Weeks 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16). The results of this study showed that subjects with post-surgical scars achieved significant improvements at 8 and 12 weeks following application of a product with either Pracaxi oil or onion extract gel, based on mean Vancouver Scar Scale scores. Both products generally improved the individual scar signs and symptoms. Subjects using the onion extract product did not achieve improvement in Pain or Itch at the 8-week evaluation or Pain at the 12-week evaluation.