Banana leaves as an alternative wound dressing

Plants as a cost-effective source for customizable photosynthetic wound dressings: A proof of concept study

Oxygen is essential for tissue regeneration, playing a crucial role in several processes, including cell metabolism and immune response. Therefore, the delivery of oxygen to wounds is an active field of research, and recent studies have highlighted the potential use of photosynthetic biomaterials as alternative oxygenation approach. However, while plants have traditionally been used to enhance tissue regeneration, their potential to produce and deliver local oxygen to wounds has not yet been explored. Hence, in this work we studied the oxygen-releasing capacity of Marchantia polymorpha explants, showing their capacity to release oxygen under different illumination settings and temperatures. Moreover, co-culture experiments revealed that the presence of these explants had no adverse effects on the viability and morphology of fibroblasts in vitro, nor on the viability of zebrafish larvae in vivo. Furthermore, oxygraphy assays demonstrate that these explants could fulfill the oxygen metabolic requirements of zebrafish larvae and freshly isolated skin biopsies ex vivo. Finally, the biocompatibility of explants was confirmed through a human skin irritation test conducted in healthy volunteers following the ISO-10993-10-2010. This proof-of-concept study provides valuable scientific insights, proposing the potential use of freshly isolated plants as biocompatible low-cost oxygen delivery systems for wound healing and tissue regeneration.

Evaluation of Banana Leaves (Musa paradisiaca) as an Alternative Wound Dressing Material Compared to Conventional Petroleum Jelly Gauze Dressing in Contused, Lacerated and Sutured Wounds Over the Head, Neck and Face Region

Aim

To evaluate the effectiveness of banana leaf dressing in patients with contused, lacerated and sutured wounds over the head, neck and face region with respect to pain during dressing change, patient comfort, status of wound bed during dressing change and handling characteristics in comparison with petroleum jelly gauze dressing.

Methods and materials

Sixty patients were included, out of which 30 patients were used as controls with petroleum jelly gauze dressings and 30 patients as study participants with banana leaf dressings. Pain on dressing change, handling characteristics of dressing material, patient comfort and status of wound bed on every dressing change were assessed.

Results

Properties of both banana leaves and petroleum jelly gauze dressings were parallel in all aspects, except pain on dressing change which was less with banana leaf dressings and had statistically significant value (p>0.001).

Conclusions

Banana leaves (Musa paradisiaca) can become an alternative choice of wound dressing material in contused, lacerated and sutured wounds over the head, neck and face region as they proved to cause less pain and trauma during dressing change and have other advantages such as cost and availability, comfort and ease of handling the dressing by health professionals.

Implementing a Locally Made Low-Cost Intervention for Wound and Lymphedema Care in Western Kenya

In Western Kenya, the burden of chronic wounds and lymphedema has a significant impact on functionality and quality of life. Major barriers to provision of care include availability, affordability, and accessibility of bandages. At the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare, dermatologists and pharmacists collaborated to develop a 2-component compression bandage modeled after the Unna boot, using locally available materials, that is distributed through a revolving fund pharmacy network. In partnership with nursing, use of these bandages at a national referral hospital and a few county facilities has increased, but increasing utilization to an expanded catchment area is needed.

Antimicrobial Activity of Selected Banana Cultivars Against Important Human Pathogens, Including Candida Biofilm

Ten banana (Musa spp.) cultivars were studied for their antimicrobial properties. Three plant parts (corm, pseudostem and leaves) were collected separately and extracted with different solvents, viz., hexane, acetone, ethanol and water. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) was evaluated using a broth microdilution assay. Eight human bacterial and one fungal pathogen were tested. Acetone and ethanol extract(s) often exhibited significant antimicrobial activity, while hexane extracts were less active. Aqueous extracts often showed microbial growth, possibly by endophytes. Leaf extracts were most active, followed by pseudostem, and corm was least active. All the tested banana cultivars were found to contain antimicrobials, as demonstrated by inhibition of selected human pathogens. However, cultivars such as Dole, Saba, Fougamou, Namwah Khom, Pelipita and Mbwazirume showed a broad-spectrum activity, inhibiting all tested pathogens. Other cultivars such as Petit Naine and Kluai Tiparot showed a narrow-spectrum activity, including antibiofilm activity against Candida albicans. Our results support the use of different parts of banana plants in traditional human medicine for infections, including diarrhea and dysentery, and some sexually transmitted diseases, as well as for packaging spoilable materials like food.

Upper Extremity Burns in the Developing World: A Neglected Epidemic

Burns are devastating injuries that cause significant morbidity, emotional distress, and decreased quality of life. Advances in care have improved survival and functional outcomes; however, burns remain a major public health problem in developing countries. More than 95% of burns occur in low- and middle-income countries, where access to basic health care is limited. The upper extremity is involved in the majority of severe burn injuries. The purpose of this article is to review upper extremity burn epidemiology, risk factors, prevention strategies, and treatment options in resource-limited settings.

The effect of Burns & Wounds (B&W)/burdock leaf therapy on burn-injured Amish patients: a pilot study measuring pain levels, infection rates, and healing times

PURPOSE

The purposes of this pilot study were to measure pain associated with dressing changes, assess the presence of infection, and document healing times of burn-injured Amish in central Ohio using an herbal therapy consisting of Burns and Wounds™ ointment (B&W) and burdock (Arctium ssp.) leaves. B&W contains honey, lanolin, olive oil, wheat germ oil, marshmallow root, Aloe vera gel, wormwood, comfrey root, white oak bark, lobelia inflata, vegetable glycerin, bees wax, and myrrh.

DESIGN

A prospective, case series design guided the study within a community-based participatory research framework.

METHODS

Amish burn dressers provided burn care. Registered nurses monitored each case and documented findings. Pain scores were noted and burns were inspected for infection during dressing changes; healing times were measured from day of burn to complete closure of the skin. All cases were photographed.

RESULTS

Between October 2011 and May 2013, five Amish were enrolled. All had first- and second-degree burns. B&W/burdock leaf dressing changes caused minimal or no pain; none of the burns became infected, and healing times averaged less than 14 days.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

The use of this herbal remedy appears to be an acceptable alternative to conventional burn care for these types of burns. The trauma of dressing changes was virtually nonexistent. Nurses working in communities with Amish residents should be aware of this herbal-based method of burn care and monitor its use when feasible.