Wound Care Research Articles

Functional characterization of two distinct classes of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductases in Senna alexandrina Mill.

Senna alexandrina Mill., an important medicinal plant of Fabaceae family, is famous for its laxative properties which are mainly due to the presence of sennosides (anthraquinone glycosides). However, the complete biosynthetic pathway of sennosides in Senna is not yet fully understood. Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYPs), which are heme-containing enzymes are supposed to play key roles in sennoside biosynthesis. Cytochrome P450 reductases (CPRs) are essential for the activity of CYPs, as they function as their redox partners. However, CPRs in Senna have not yet been characterized in detail. In this study, two different sequences of SaCPRs were retrieved from the publicly available Transcriptome Shotgun Assembly (TSA) database of S. alexandrina at National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). The open reading frames of SaCPR1 and SaCPR2 were found to be 2079 and 2121bp, encoding 693 and 707 amino acid long polypeptides, respectively. Phylogenetic and 3-D structure analysis predicted that these two SaCPRs (i.e. SaCPR1 and SaCPR2) were grouped with the members of Class I and Class II CPRs, respectively. Analysis of SaCPR1 and SaCPR2 sequences showed that the conserved domains commonly found in CPRs such as FMN- (Flavin adenine mononucleotide), FAD-(Flavin adenine dinucleotide), NADPH-(Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen) and cytochrome P450 binding region, were also present in SaCPRs. SaCPR1 and SaCPR2 were cloned and expressed in yeast for functional characterization. In cytochrome P450 reductase assay, both SaCPR1 and SaCPR2 reduced cytochrome c in the presence of NADPH as an electron donor, however, SaCPR1 showed higher specific activity than SaCPR2. The real time expression analysis of SaCPRs performed in the leaf, stem and root tissues of Senna showed that SaCPR1 was expressed more in leaf tissue while SaCPR2 expressed more in stem tissue. Furthermore, both the SaCPRs were found to be induced by salicylic acid as well as wound treatment (up to two hr). Two different classes of cytochrome P450 reductases were identified and functionally characterized. SaCPR1 showed higher in vitro activity than SaCPR2 in cytochrome c reduction assay.

A dynamically crosslinked, self-adapting, injectable gelatin-chondroitin sulfate hydrogel with antibacterial and antioxidant properties for treatment of deep and irregular wounds.

Chronic, deep, and irregularly shaped wounds often infected with bacteria are considered a major clinical concern. The overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and disruption of the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines delay the healing process. Traditionally used dressings are unable to address these multiple issues. We present a multifunctional, self-adaptable, injectable hydrogel composed of gelatin (G) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) containing borate-crosslinked tannic acid (TA), enriched with in situ synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which eliminates the necessity of any secondary dressing. The dynamically crosslinked hydrogel demonstrates efficient self-healing, adhesiveness, antioxidant properties, and potential antibacterial activity (E. coli and S. aureus). The injectable hydrogels also exhibit sustained release of TA and AgNPs. The in vitro cytotoxicity reveals the excellent cytocompatibility of the hydrogel with HDF-N fibroblast cells and red blood cells. In vivo studies confirm that the injectable hydrogel demonstrates self-adaptability in irregularly shaped wounds and accelerates the healing process in terms of healing percentage, fibroblast generation, neovascularization, and hair follicle development. Additionally, the in vivo application of the fabricated hydrogels does not produce any significant systemic toxicity. This study demonstrates that the dynamically crosslinked, multifunctional, injectable hydrogel is a promising candidate for treating irregular deep penetrating wounds.

Developing and consumer testing fire and burn and cold injury prevention education with people who are unhoused: EQUIP Toolkit.

Fifteen percent of people receiving care for major burn injuries in urban burn centers across North America were homeless pre-injury. The number and risk of such injuries are increasing due to greater numbers of people experiencing homelessness (PEH) and frequency of extreme climate events. Prevention education, along with passive and active fire and cold weather protections are critical for preventing these injuries. To increase acceptability, understandability, and actionability, prevention education needs to be in plain language, contextualized, and consumer-tested. We aimed to test newly developed fire and burn and cold injury prevention education materials with PEH and gain insights for preferred prevention strategies to address and mitigate related risks and hazards. Forty cognitive interviews with PEH were conducted. The Model System Knowledge Translation Center's consumer-testing toolkit was used to evaluate understandability and actionability of the education materials. Transcripts were analyzed using a harm reduction framework and deductive and inductive thematic coding. Themes were: 1) engage - being approachable and accessible, 2) use context-specific design to enhance relatability - reflect the lived experiences of PEH and their environments, 3) reduce harm - focus on mitigating rather than eliminating hazards, 4) empower - incorporate prevention guidance, guided by PEH in combination with conventional prevention strategies, and 5) integrate - disseminate prevention education and PEH preferred safety equipment within services and locations utilized by PEH. The process of consumer-testing with PEH generated acceptable fire, burn and cold injury prevention and mitigation strategies. These strategies were used to develop actionable prevention education materials.

Comprehensive wound healing using ETN@Fe7S8 complex by positively regulating multiple programmed phases

Wound healing requires coordinated progression through multiple programmed phases including hemostasis, infection control, inflammatory resolution, proliferation, and tissue remodeling. Many nanomaterials have shown great potential to promote wound healing, however, most of them only address partial aspects of these processes, making a recovery hard with adequate effects. In this study, we prepared a complex of nano-iron sulfide integrated with erythrocyte-templated nanozyme (ETN) (ETN@Fe7S8) for comprehensive treatment of wounds. Firstly, ETN served as a mediator to confine iron sulfide to form Fe7S8 nanocomposite in a solvothermal reaction. Secondly, the ETN@Fe7S8 demonstrated bactericidal effects against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by releasing ferrous iron and polysulfide to induce ferroptosis-like cell death. Thirdly, ferrous iron along with polysulfide exerted anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, while the polysulfide also contributed to angiogenesis by promoting the activation of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), initiated phosphorylation-mediated activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, a master regulatory cascade governing endothelial cell survival, migration, and angiogenesis. When employed for wound, ETN@Fe7S8 showed the ability to prevent infection, reduce inflammation, promote angiogenesis, enhance cell proliferation, and remodel keratinocytes. Along with the hemostatic effect, ETN@Fe7S8 thus performed comprehensive effects for wound healing in the whole recovery stages. Therefore, our findings provide a multifunctional candidate of ETN and nano-iron sulfide complex which is capable of regulating and promoting wound healing.Graphical

Optimized quercetin-loaded glycerohyalurosome hydrogel: an innovative nanoplatform for enhanced wound healing

BackgroundLipidic nanovesicular systems have attracted researchers’ interest for more effective cutaneous delivery and topical pharmacological efficacy. Quercetin (QUT), a polyphenolic flavonoid known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, suffers from poor solubility and bioavailability. The aim of this research was to develop an optimized hydrogel formulation comprising QUT-loaded hyaluronic acid (HYA)-modified glycerosomes (glycerohyalurosomes, GHEs) for effective wound management. A combination of glycerol (GLY) and HYA is being used to provide flexibility to the vesicles for better delivery through the skin; these compounds have been reported to provide benefits for wound healing. ResultsD-optimal design suggested fifteen formulations of QUT-GHEs which were prepared using a modified thin-film hydration method. Results showed that particle sizes ranged from 162.33 to 478.49 nm and zeta potential from −57.8 to −18.8 mV. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed successful loading of the drug into the vesicles. QUT-GHEs were integrated into hydrogel (QUT-GHE-GEL) using 1.5% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. The pH of the QUT-GHE-GEL was recorded as 5.9 ± 0.03, which is acceptable in wound healing. In vivo studies performed on Wistar rats showed that QUT-GHE-GEL accelerated the wound-healing process compared to the untreated control and marketed product (MP)-treated groups, where a significantly higher wound contraction was observed. Histopathological examination of wound tissues revealed that QUT-GHE-GEL-treated and MP-treated groups exhibited newly sprouted capillaries and enhanced fibroblast development. ConclusionsThus, the suggested QUT-GHE-GEL formulation shows promise for effective wound-healing management. QUT-GHE-GEL enhances wound contraction and fosters tissue regeneration while modulating inflammation. The results indicate that QUT-GHE-GEL proves a prospective therapeutic option for wound care applications.

Smartphone virtual reality for pain management during pediatric burn care transition: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundBurn injuries severe enough to result in emergency department visits are a large burden for US children. Treatment for these injuries often involves daily dressing changes at home, which can be very painful and anxiety-inducing. This trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of a virtual reality therapeutic for pain and anxiety alleviation during repeated at-home burn dressing changes among pediatric patients.MethodsTwo hundred children with burn injuries requiring daily dressing changes will be recruited from two American Burn Association-verified burn centers in the USA for this randomized, controlled, two-arm clinical trial with a 1:1 allocation ratio. During each dressing change at home, the intervention group will play the Virtual Reality Pain Alleviation Therapeutic (VR-PAT) game and answer questions about their pain, anxiety state, pain medication usage, simulator sickness symptoms, and experience playing the game. The control group will perform their dressing as usual without the VR-PAT and answer questions about their pain, anxiety state, and pain medication usage. The primary outcome is the difference in self-reported pain and anxiety between the two groups over their week of dressing changes.DiscussionThe transition of burn injury treatment from the medical center to the home can increase anxiety for children and their parents. Virtual reality is a promising digital technology that can improve wound care for these children. Findings from this trial will provide data on the efficacy of the VR-PAT for reducing self-reported pain and anxiety during daily home dressing changes for pediatric burn care. The results from this trial will serve as evidence for a large-scale implementation study.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT05673551. Registered on December 21, 2022.

Innovative hydrogels in cutaneous wound healing: current status and future perspectives

Chronic wounds pose a substantial burden on healthcare systems, necessitating innovative tissue engineering strategies to enhance clinical outcomes. Hydrogels, both of natural and synthetic origin, have emerged as versatile biomaterials for wound management due to their structural adaptability, biocompatibility, and tunable physicochemical properties. Their hydrophilic nature enables efficient nutrient transport, waste removal, and cellular integration, while their malleability facilitates application to deep and irregular wounds, providing an optimal microenvironment for cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Extracellular matrix (ECM)- based hydrogels retain bioactive molecules that support cellular infiltration, immune modulation, and tissue remodelling, making them highly effective scaffolds for growth factor delivery and regenerative therapies. Additionally, their injectability and potential for in situ polymerization enable minimally invasive applications, allowing on-demand gelation at target sites. By modifying their mechanical properties through crosslinking, hydrogels can achieve enhanced structural stability, prolonged degradation control, and improved surgical handling, optimizing their functionality in dynamic wound environments. This review outlines current approaches to skin tissue engineering, examining the biomaterials employed in hydrogel design, their limitations, and their interactions with host tissues. Furthermore, it highlights the emerging potential of functionalized injectable hydrogels, particularly those engineered for controlled drug release, enhanced bioactivity, and patient-specific therapeutic applications. These hydrogels offer a transformative platform for advanced wound care and regenerative medicine.

Early Resuturing versus expectant Management for Perineal Wound Dehiscence: A systematic review.

Early Resuturing versus expectant Management for Perineal Wound Dehiscence: A systematic review.

NIR-Induced Power-Effective Smart Bandage for Wound Infection Monitoring and Accelerated Healing.

An advanced bandage integrating sensing and therapeutic components for effective physiological monitoring and treatment presents promising potential for chronic wound healing. However, functional components in most bandages are integrated by wires, limiting the wearer's comfort of a soft-hard interface. Herein, a biocompatible smart flexible bandage, containing a reduced graphene oxide/polyacrylamide hydrogel (rGO/PAM Gel) therapeutic dressing and Au/rGO modified biosensor, has been designed. Owing to the photothermal capability of rGO/PAM Gel, the local temperature of the bandage significantly increased under NIR irradiation. High temperature accelerates infected wound healing by killing bacteria, while the bandage sensors enhance biomarker detection. Enriched target molecules and enhanced photo-electrocatalytic activity acquire high sensing performance. Moreover, in situ animal studies demonstrate that a smart wearable bandage could effectively monitor wound exudate biomarkers (i.e., uric acid) and accelerate healing with maximum light energy efficiency. This work provides a power-efficient approach to facilitate the immediate clinical intervention of wound care management.

Ethnomedicinal survey and in-vitro antibacterial screening of medicinal plants used in treatment of wounds in Ijesha land, South-Western Nigeria

Ethnomedicinal survey and in-vitro antibacterial screening of medicinal plants used in treatment of wounds in Ijesha land, South-Western Nigeria

Global Trends of Artificial Intelligence for Diabetic Wound Care: A Bibliometric Analysis

This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in diabetic wound care, focusing on trends, key contributors, and research themes. Using data collected from the Scopus database, the research employs citation analysis and co-occurrence mapping to examine the growth and evolution of the field. The results reveal a substantial increase in research activity from 2019 to 2023, with a marked rise in the number of publications and citations related to AI-driven solutions for diabetic wound management. Asian countries, particularly India and China, are identified as leading contributors in this domain, showcasing their significant role in advancing AI applications in healthcare. Through the use of VOSviewer software, the study identifies three primary research themes: AI for Automated Detection of Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs) & Diabetic Retinopathy (DR), AI in Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs) Diagnosis & Healing, and Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs) Classification in Medical Imaging. The analysis highlights the growing importance of AI in improving the accuracy and efficiency of wound care, thus offering potential improvements in patient outcomes. This study provides valuable insights into the current landscape of AI in diabetic wound care and lays the foundation for future innovations in this crucial area of healthcare.

Electrospun Nanofibers in Wound Healing: Real-World Evaluation of Spincare™ Technology

(1) Background: The increasing prevalence of chronic wounds, along with their significant healthcare burden, underscores the need for innovative and technologically advanced treatment strategies. Electrospun nanofiber-based dressings have emerged as a promising solution, mimicking the skin’s extracellular matrix and promoting efficient tissue regeneration. (2) Methods: This real-world, 10-month observational study conducted at CF Oradea Clinical Hospital enrolled 60 patients with chronic, non-healing wounds. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: 30 received standard vacuum-assisted wound therapy, serving as the control group. In contrast, 30 received treatment with Spincare™, a novel electrospinning technology that delivers a personalized nanofiber matrix directly onto the wound. Symptom progression, pain levels, and treatment adaptation were assessed using standardized questionnaires. (3) Results: Patients treated with Spincare™ demonstrated faster wound healing, especially in the epithelialization phase, with significantly improved pain scores and quality of life measures. The technology was well-tolerated and reduced the need for repeated hospitalizations. (4) Conclusions: Spincare™ represents an effective and innovative electrospun nanofiber solution for chronic wound management, accelerating healing and enhancing patient outcomes, particularly in individuals with underlying conditions such as peripheral arterial disease. These findings support the integration of electrospinning-based therapies in modern wound care protocols.

GinExtraMed: Focus on Rosa canina L. Extract Encapsulated into Glycethosomes and Allanthosomes for Accelerating Skin Wound Healing

Background/Objectives: Over the last decade, the development of innovative wound products has continued to be a focus of intense research to meet the huge demand of patients. The aim of this work was to develop novel medicated Spanish broom wound dressings capable of releasing Rosa canina extract, recognized for its high antioxidant activity. Methods:Rosa canina extract was encapsulated in two different nanocarriers, namely glycethosomes and allanthosomes. The physico-chemical and functional characteristics of the obtained vesicles were described, including their size, particle size distribution, ζ potential, and encapsulation efficiency (EE). In addition, vesicles cytotoxicity and cell proliferation were evaluated on human fibroblasts. Furthermore, loaded vesicles were sunk into Spanish broom dressings, analyzed by confocal microscopy, and, finally, evaluated for their wound healing ability by scratch test. Results: Both carriers are nanometric in size, with a good EE (>70%), and a negative ζ potential. Additionally, vesicles are biosafe, non-cytotoxic, and lead to complete closure of the scratch in about 30 h. Conclusions: The findings showed that the developed Spanish broom dressings have the potential to be an efficient and innovative wound care product for accelerating skin wounds.

Nursing care of a patient with abdominal wall abscess caused by Granulicatella adiacens infection due to improper insulin injection: A case report.

Granulicatella adiacens (G adiacens) are colonizing bacteria commonly found in the mouth, intestine, and urogenital tract. These bacteria tend to cause infectious diseases in immunocompromised hosts, such as artificial joint infections, osteomyelitis, meningitis, peritonitis, and lung abscess. An unusual case involved a 37-year-old female who developed an abdominal wall infection adjacent to G adiacens due to incorrect insulin injection behavior. The patient received targeted anti-infection treatment, including wound dressing changes and blood glucose management. Her symptoms, which included fever and a skin rupture with pus and bleeding on the left lower abdomen, improved markedly. She was discharged after 14 days of hospitalization, and her abdominal wound fully healed 5 months later. This case underscores the importance of prompt identification and careful wound care. The nurse practitioner played a critical role in specimen collection, wound management, antibiotic administration, and patient education. Integrated care and interdisciplinary collaboration were key factors that led to the patient's significant improvement and successful discharge.

Comparing Digital, Mobile and Three-Dimensional Methods in Pressure Injury Measurement: Agreement in Surface Area and Depth Assessments.

To examine the consistency among three wound measurement methods in assessing pressure injury surface area and to compare manual depth measurement with three-dimensional wound measurement. Methodological and comparative study. This study was conducted between 2022 and 2024 at a university hospital, involving 125 pressure injuries. The wound surface area was measured using three different methods, and depth was measured using a sterile cotton swab and three dimensional wound measurement method. STARD reporting guidelines were followed. This study found a statistically significant, strong positive correlation among the three wound measurement methods. However, a significant difference was detected, with digital planimetry yielding higher values than other methods. No significant difference was observed between depth measurement methods. Digital wound measurement methods are fast, non-contact, accurate and reliable for assessing pressure injury surface area. Additionally, three dimensional wound measurement serves as a potential aseptic, non-contact alternative to traditional depth measurement, making it a valuable tool in clinical settings. Future advancements in wound measurement should focus on artificial intelligence-driven wound boundary detection and improved automation for more consistent and reliable measurements. The study addressed the absence of a universally accepted 'gold standard' for wound measurement. Findings showed that digital planimetry provided the highest measurements, while three-dimensional wound measurement and imitoMeasure demonstrated accuracy, reliability and efficiency. This research will impact wound care specialists and healthcare institutions by improving pressure injury measurement and promoting standardised digital methods in clinical practice. No Patient or Public Contribution. NCT06559657.

Next-Generation Wound Care: A Scoping Review on Probiotic, Prebiotic, Synbiotic, and Postbiotic Cutaneous Formulations

Background/Objectives: Chronic wounds represent a significant socioeconomic burden, affecting 1–2% of the global population. Wound healing is a complex process involving inflammation, cell proliferation, and tissue remodeling, but factors such as infections, diabetes, aging, and poor nutrition can impair recovery, leading to chronic wounds. Given these challenges, researchers have explored topical probiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics as alternatives strategies. Strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium contribute to skin restoration by producing antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory compounds, offering a novel approach to cutaneous restoration. Our study aims to address the potential effects of topical probiotic, synbiotic, and postbiotic formulations for wound healing applications by means of a broad scoping review and evidence-gap mapping. Methods: A systematic literature search of preclinical studies (in vitro and in vivo) was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (January 2025), yielding 3052 articles after duplicates removal, of which 44 met the inclusion criteria. Results: These studies were published between 1986 and 2024, mostly by China (27.3%) and Iran (25.0%). Probiotics were frequently evaluated among the studies included (47.7%) (with Lactobacillus plantarum being the most assessed strain), followed by postbiotics (36.4%) (with predominant use of cell-free supernatants) and synbiotics (15.9%) (especially fructooligosaccharides). Dosage forms included gels (44.4%), films (15.6%), and ointments (13.3%). Conclusions: Most studies indicate that probiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, while promoting angiogenesis, tissue regeneration, and skin barrier restoration. The use of different delivery systems may additionally enhance therapeutic outcomes by accelerating wound closure, reducing bacterial load, and modulating immune response. However, methodological limitations in animal studies highlight the need for greater experimental rigor. Further robust clinical trials are essential to confirm efficacy and safety before clinical application of these formulations.

Positive regulation Asperosaponin VI accumulation by DaERF9 through JA signaling in Dipsacus asper

The ERF transcription factor can regulate the biosynthesis of various secondary metabolites, including triterpenoid saponins, in plants. DaERF9 has been found to be a potential regulatory factor in the accumulation of asperosaponin VI in Dipsacus asper. However, its underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we cloned the transcription factor DaERF9, which promotes the accumulation of asperosaponin VI in D.asper. Metabolomic analysis showed that wound stress significantly increased the content of asperosaponin VI and jasmonic acid, while the expression level of DaERF9 was markedly enhanced during this process, suggesting that DaERF9 plays a regulatory role in the wound-induced synthesis of asperosaponin VI by JA signaling pathway. Transgenic DaERF9 promoted the synthesis of precursor compounds of asperosaponin VI in Arabidopsis, activating the triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis pathway. MeJA induction enhanced the expression of the key enzyme gene DaHMGCR, which is involved in the synthesis of asperosaponin VI in transgenic DaERF9. Wound treatment markedly increased the transcriptional level of DaERF9 and the content of JA, and DaERF9 was able to interact with the DaHMGCR promoter, activating the activity of DaHMGCR. Overall, our findings suggest that DaERF9 plays a crucial role in the synthesis of asperosaponin VI in D. asper and elucidate the transcriptional regulatory mechanism of JA-induced accumulation of asperosaponin VI.

Noninferiority of Copper Dressings Than Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Healing Diabetic Wounds: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective: To evaluate if treatment of diabetic wounds by copper oxide impregnated dressings (COD) is noninferior to negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). Approach: Following the CONSORT guidelines, patients with diabetes mellitus (type 1 or type 2) and noninfected wounds eligible for treatment with NPWT were randomized into two groups. One group received NPWT followed by standard wound care dressings, whereas the other was treated exclusively with COD. The primary outcome was wound size reduction, measured blindly using a 3D wound-imaging system. Secondary outcomes included patient and caregiver convenience (assessed via visual analog scores), cost, and additional wound parameters. Results: COD showed statistically significant noninferiority to NPWT in wound size reduction throughout the study (p < 0.01). The percentage of wounds that closed was 47.83% (11/23) and 34.78% (8/23) in the COD and NPWT arms, respectively (p > 0.05). The average time to wound closure, adjusted to potential confounders, such as gender, age, body mass index, diabetes, and smokers, was similar in both arms (p > 0.05). COD were found to be more convenient than NPWT for both patients (p < 0.001) and caregivers (p = 0.003), with a significantly shorter application time (p < 0.001). The COD cost was 14% of NPWT cost ($470 compared with $3,360). Innovation: COD may be considered as the first line of treatment for diabetic foot wounds when NPWT seems indicated. Conclusions: Using copper dressings as a first line of treatment of diabetic wounds, when NPWT is indicated, is expected to reduce health costs, improve convenience, and increase compliance without compromising the final outcome.

Efficacy of human heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor in healing experimental chemical burns

According to the WHO, burns are the third most common cause of traumatic skin injuries. Chemical burns are characterized by a complex course and a long healing process. The use of the representatives of the epidermal growth factor family seems to be a promising direction in the treatment of chemical burns. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the recombinant human heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (rhHB-EGF) in treating burn wounds in mice. The expression of a recombinant human HB-EGF analog was induced in the prokaryotic system E. coli BL21 Star, the protein was isolated, purified and its preparations in PBS or in a form of gel containing sodium hyaluronate and potassium sorbate were obtained. The burn wound was simulated in white non-inbred mice by subcutaneous injection of 10% paraformaldehyde solution, healing was observed for 17 days. The initial wound area was measured on the 7th day after the burn injury when the treatment was started. The mice with burn injury were divided into groups of 3 each – untreated mice (control), treated with different preparations: gel without rhHB-EGF; rhHB-EGF in a gel form; rhHB-EGF in PBS solution. The preparations (100 μl, 1.5 mg of rhHB-EGF) were applied to burn wounds daily for 5 days. Wound area, healing rate and histological patterns of skin samples were estimated. It was shown that groups with burn injury treated with HB-EGF protein (both in solution and gel form) demonstrated an advantage in reducing the wound area and inflammatory cells infiltration, improving healing rate, increasing the proliferative activity of epithelial cells and neovascularization as compared with the untreated group. Thus, the use of rhHB-EGF is a promising direction in the treatment of skin wounds. Keywords: chemical burns, heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor, histological analysis, skin regeneration, wound healing

Explore Traditional Wound Healing Practices and Medicinal Plant Use in Sarangarh Tribal Communities, Chhattisgarh

The present study was conducted with traditional wound healing and ethnobotanical use of plants in the tribal areas of Sarangarh, Chhattisgarh, India. The study involves the documentation of ethnos wound- healing knowledge from the indigenous tribes and a survey on they medicinal plants used for wound healing. This purpose was to show up the medicinal remedies and plants that are useful to check the application of these healing methods in the actual medicine. This research was a qualitative ethnographic study using fieldwork, interviews with traditional healers, surveys with interviews, and participant observations as data collection methods. The results indicate a wide variety of traditional wound healing practices, such as medicinal plant extracts, pastes, poultices and compresses, and the particular importance of medicinal plants for wound care. The study also demonstrated the cultural importance of such practices, particularly the role of traditional healers and transmission of knowledge from generation to generation. In addition, the study reveals various plants that are involved in wound healing and the mode of preparation as well as bioactive components responsible for their healing properties. Recommendations for protecting and incorporating these traditional practices into contemporary health care structures are detailed at the end of this article. Future studies are recommended to explore the therapeutic potential of the plants and clinical use in wound healing.