Mast cell concentration and skin wound contraction in rats treated with Brazilian pepper essential oil (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi).

Lígia Reis Moura Estevão,Regildo Márcio Gonçalves Da Silva,Juliana Pinto De Medeiros,Ricardo Santos Simões,Fábio De Souza Mendonça,Milene Alvarenga Rachid,Joaquim Evêncio-Neto,Rosa Maria Esteves Arantes

doi:10.1590/s0102-865020150040000008

Abstract

To evaluate wound contraction and the concentration of mast cells in skin wounds treated with 5% BPT essential oil-based ointment in rats. 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. The treated group showed higher mast cell concentrations (p<0.05) associated with increased contraction at day 7 and 14 respectively. Ointment containing 5% Brazilian pepper tree oil increases mast cell concentration and promotes skin wound contraction in rats.

Highlights

Tissue damage of any nature immediately activates events that promote wound healing
The healing process occurs in three phases: inflammation, granulation, tissue formation and extracellular matrix deposition, and remodelling[1]
These cells present cytoplasmic granules that contain histamine, serotonin, tryptase and several cytokines, which are capable of stimulating the proliferation of endothelial and epithelial cells and fibroblasts[3]

Summary

Introduction

Tissue damage of any nature immediately activates events that promote wound healing. Fundamentally, the healing process occurs in three phases: inflammation, granulation, tissue formation and extracellular matrix deposition, and remodelling[1].Inflammation plays an essential role in the healing process. Resolution of the wound is considered complete only after total maturation and remodelling of the extracellular matrix[1] In this phase, mast cells are essential to the healing process. They are predominantly found in the dermis, near the vascular tissue and the basement membrane of endothelial cells and nerves[3] These cells present cytoplasmic granules that contain histamine, serotonin, tryptase and several cytokines (tumour necrosis factor, interleukin-4, fibroblast growth factors and epithelial cells), which are capable of stimulating the proliferation of endothelial and epithelial cells and fibroblasts[3]. Mast cells are capable of inducing and exacerbating the angiogenesis process by releasing tumoural necrosis factor, tryptase and heparin[5] They accumulate at the wound’s edge and participate in collagen remodellation[6]

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Conclusion