Sugar (sucrose) and fatty acid compounds with triglycerides on the treatment of wounds: experimental study in rats

Topical essential fatty acid oil on wounds: Local and systemic effects

BACKGROUND

The use of medicinal plants and their derivatives is increasing, and approximately one-third of all traditional herbal medicines are intended for wound treatment. Natural products used in these treatments include vegetable oils, which are rich in essential fatty acids. Once in contact with an ulcerative surface, the oil reaches the blood and lymphatic vessels, thus eliciting systemic effects.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the local and possible systemic effects of essential fatty acids (sunflower oil) applied topically to rat wounds.

METHODS

Cutaneous punch wounds (6 mm) were produced on the dorsa of 30 rats. Saline (SS), mineral oil (MO) or essential fatty acid (EFA) solutions were applied topically. Healing was evaluated after 2, 4 and 10 days (n = 5 per group) by visual and histological/morphometric examination, second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy, and cytokine and growth factor quantification in the scar tissue (real-time PCR) and in serum (ELISA).

RESULTS

MO/EFA-treated animals had higher IGF-1, leptin, IL-6 and IFN-γ mRNA expression and lower serum IL-6 levels than the control (SS/MO) animals. SHG analysis showed no difference in collagen density between the animals treated with MO and EFA.

CONCLUSION

EFA treatment induces topical (observed by local IGF-1, leptin, IL-6 and IFN-γ production) and systemic effects, lowering IL-6 levels in the serum. As the oil is widely used to shorten ulcer healing time, studies are needed to evaluate the treatment safety and possible undesired effects.

[The use of fatty acids in wound care: an integrative review of the Brazilian literature]

The objective of this study was to characterize the Brazilian scientific production on the topical use of fatty acids in wound care, and to describe the effects of its administration in this process. This integrative literature review included articles indexed in Lilacs and BEDENF databases. Data collection was carried out in December 2010 using controlled descriptors and without publication date limitations. The sample consisted of nine articles, mostly concerning animal models and the use of different fatty acids mixtures. Due to the lack of randomized clinical trials in human beings and the limitations of this review, it is not possible to generalize that essential fatty acids have a positive effect on the healing process or have antimicrobial effects on wound healing. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct studies of higher methodological rigor, comparing the different formulas available with fatty acids and their effects on the healing process.