Healing potential of aStreptomycessp. secondary metabolite, SEM-1-111, on experimental full-thickness excision cutaneous wounds in Wistar rats

Abstract

The potent biomedical properties of Streptomyces secondary metabolites make them a possible source of promising new targets to use as wound-healing-promoting agents. To investigate the properties of a Streptomyces sp. secondary metabolite, the SEM-1-111 fraction, in the healing full-thickness cutaneous wounds. In this experiment, creams were prepared using a Eucerin ointment base with 5%, 10% or 15% SEM-1-111 added. Circular excision wounds were surgically created on the back of Wistar rats, and the creams were applied daily to the wound area. The negative control group was treated with the vehicle, and the positive control group with a commercial phenytoin 1% cream. We analysed planimetric and histological parameters, and the expression of procollagen-I mRNA. SEM-1-111 substantially influenced wound healing. The cream containing the highest dose of metabolite (15%) significantly decreased wound size during the study, and histological evaluation showed beneficial effects of this concentration in the wound-healing process. Procollagen-I mRNA levels were significantly increased in both the 15% SEM-1-111 group and the phenytoin group compared with the vehicle control on postoperative day 7. Regular topical application of the Streptomyces sp. secondary metabolite SEM-1-111 fraction at a concentration of 15% accelerates the wound-healing process.