Topical Mentha piperita Effects on Cutaneous Wound Healing: A Study on TGF-ß Expression and Clinical Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Wound healing is a critical clinical concept. We aimed to evaluate the effects of topical Mentha piperita essence on cutaneous wound healing. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran in 2019. Square-shaped 1.5×1.5 cm wounds were made on the neck of 60 male Wistar rats in a sterile condition. Samples were randomly divided into a control group and three experimental groups. Group A treated with M. piperita essence and Vaseline. The second group received the M. piperita essence, and the third group received Vaseline. Histological specimens were obtained in 4th, 7th, and 14th days and were explored for fibroblasts, epithelial cells, inflammatory cells, and vessels. RT-PCR was performed for molecular and gene expression evaluation of TGF-ß. RESULTS: The M. piperita essence increases TGF-ß gene expression as an important factor in wound healing. After 14 d, group A, who received M. piperita and Vaseline, had 99.73% of wound healing with the mean wound size of 0.006 cm2 while wound healing in the control group was only 52%. Samples treated with M. piperita have 74.58% wound healing following by group treated with Vaseline, which was 67.02% (P<0.05), respectively. CONCLUSION: The application of the M. piperita essence for wound healing accelerates the process and improves outcomes.

Efficacy of a Natural Topical Skin Ointment for Managing Split-Thickness Skin Graft Donor Sites: A Pilot Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new topical skin ointment with natural ingredients (aloe vera, honey, and peppermint) for dressing skin graft donor sites. DESIGN: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTION: Researchers enrolled patients who were referred for split-thickness skin graft after burns or surgical wounds on the scalp or face area. For each patient, a thin layer of skin (depth, 0.04 mm; approximate size, less than 15 × 7 cm) was harvested from the thigh by a plastic surgeon with an electric or manual dermatome. The donor sites were divided and randomized to receive either natural ointment or petroleum jelly as a topical agent to dressing. Topical agents were applied on donor site wounds on days 0, 4, 7, and 14. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Wound size, pain, erythema, pruritus, patient discomfort, complications, and physician satisfaction were evaluated at each visit. MAIN RESULTS: Among 28 patients, there was no significant difference between the two treatment agents regarding the rate of wound healing (P = .415), pain (P = .081), pruritus (P = .527), and patient discomfort (P = .616). The ointment was superior to petroleum jelly in reducing wound erythema (P = .001) and was associated with significantly better treatment satisfaction (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The natural topical ointment investigated in this study may be an acceptable alternative to petroleum jelly in caring for split-thickness donor skin graft donor site wounds to effectively promote wound healing, prevent infection and scarring, reduce pain, and comfort the patient.

In vitro antioxidant activity and in vivo wound-healing effect of lecithin liposomes: a comparative study.

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the potentials of egg lecithin (egg-l) and soy lecithin (soy-l) liposomes in antioxidative and wound healing properties. Materials & methods: The suspensions of egg-l and soy-l were prepared using the fusion technique. The free radical scavenging activity of both lecithin liposomes was evaluated by DPPH and ABTS methods. Tissue staining was used to assess wound-healing parameter. Results: Liposomal lecithins showed an increasing trend of 1-10 mg/ml in radical-scavenging activities (p < 0.0001). Wound-healing assessments showed a significant effect (p < 0.0001) in treatment with topical lecithin liposomes. The results of wound healing also showed better outcomes of egg-l in comparison with phenytoin 1% cream. Conclusion: Antioxidant lecithin liposomes may enhance the treatment of wound injuries.

Physico-mechanical and antimicrobial properties of an orthodontic adhesive containing cationic curcumin doped zinc oxide nanoparticles subjected to photodynamic therapy.

BACKGROUND: Potential complications on the crown level during fixed orthodontic procedures are white spot, enamel demineralization and tooth decay. This study evaluated the antimicrobial properties of an orthodontic adhesive incorporating cationic curcumin doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (cCur/ZnONPs), which can have the highest concentration of cCur/ZnONPs and shear bond strength (SBS) value simultaneously, against cariogenic bacteria including Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, and Lactobacillus acidophilus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following synthesis and confirmation of cCur/ZnONPs, SBS and adhesive remnant index (ARI) of the test adhesives containing cCur/ZnONPs (1.2, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10% wt.) were measured using universal testing machine and stereomicroscope, respectively. After continuously rinsed (up to 180 day), the residual antimicrobial ability of modified adhesives which can have the highest concentration of cCur/ZnONPs and SBS value simultaneously were determined by disc agar diffusion (DAD), biofilm formation inhibition, and metabolic activity assays following photo-activation using light-emitting diode (LED) for 5 min against multispecies cariogenic biofilm-producing bacteria. RESULTS: Adhesive with 7.5% wt. cCur/ZnONPs showed the highest concentration of cCur/ZnONPs and SBS value (14.89 ± 3.26 MPa, P < 0.05) simultaneously. No significant differences in ARI scores were found between the modified adhesive and control (Transbond XT without the cCur/ZnONPs). 7.5% wt. cCur/ZnONPs following photo-activation was not colonized by the test microorganisms and suppressed 100% metabolic activity of the test microorganisms up to 90 day compared to the control group (cCur/ZnONPs free LED irradiation; P < 0.05). In DAD assay, the reduction of photodynamic disinfection of the 7.5% wt. cCur/ZnONPs against test bacteria was positively associated to the time, in such a way that it was decreased significantly after 60 day. From days 120 onwards, microbial biofilm formation and metabolic activity was progressively increased on 7.5% wt. cCur/ZnONPs adhesive discs compared to the control group (cCur/ZnONPs free LED irradiation). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the photo-activated 7.5% wt. cCur/ZnONPs can serve as an orthodontic adhesive additive to control the cariogenic multispecies biofilm, and also to reduce their metabolic activity.

Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) activation in cutaneous wounds after topical application of aloe vera gel.

Aloe vera is a medicinal plant used to treat various skin diseases. The effects of using aloe vera gel on the healing process were investigated by microscopic methods, cell counting, and TGF-ß gene expression in the wound bed. Sixty Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g were placed under anesthesia in sterile conditions. A square 1.5 cm × 1.5 cm wound was made on the back of the neck. The rats were divided into control and 2 experimental groups. Additionally, the control and experimental groups were separated into 3 subgroups corresponding to 4, 7, and 14 days of study. In the first experimental group, aloe vera was used twice on the wound. The second experimental group received aloe vera overtreatment once on the wound. The positive control group received daily application of 1% phenytoein cream following surgical wound creation. The control group did not receive any treatment. This tissue was examined using histological staining (H&E) and Masson's Trichrome. Wound surface and wound healing were evaluated separately. TGF-ß gene expression was analyzed by RT-PCR. Results showed that fibroblasts in both experimental groups were significantly increased, thereby acceleration wound healing. Application of aloe vera gel will increase TGF-ß gene expression, ultimately accelerating the wound healing process.