Topical Administration of Heat-Killed Enterococcus faecalis Strain KH2 Promotes Re-Epithelialization and Granulation Tissue Formation during Skin Wound-Healing

Probiotics in Wound Healing

Wound infections caused by opportunistic bacteria promote persistent infection and represent the main cause of delayed healing. Probiotics are acknowledged for their beneficial effects on the human body and could be utilized in the management of various diseases. They also possess the capacity to accelerate wound healing, due to their remarkable anti-pathogenic, antibiofilm, and immunomodulatory effects. Oral and topical probiotic formulations have shown promising openings in the field of dermatology, and there are various in vitro and in vivo models focusing on their healing mechanisms. Wound dressings embedded with prebiotics and probiotics are now prime candidates for designing wound healing therapeutic approaches to combat infections and to promote the healing process. The aim of this review is to conduct an extensive scientific literature review regarding the efficacy of oral and topical probiotics in wound management, as well as the potential of wound dressing embedding pre- and probiotics in stimulating the wound healing process.

A multi-study analysis enables identification of potential microbial features associated with skin aging signs

Introduction: During adulthood, the skin microbiota can be relatively stable if environmental conditions are also stable, yet physiological changes of the skin with age may affect the skin microbiome and its function. The microbiome is an important factor to consider in aging since it constitutes most of the genes that are expressed on the human body. However, severity of specific aging signs (one of the parameters used to measure "apparent" age) and skin surface quality (e.g., texture, hydration, pH, sebum, etc.) may not be indicative of chronological age. For example, older individuals can have young looking skin (young apparent age) and young individuals can be of older apparent age. Methods: Here we aim to identify microbial taxa of interest associated to skin quality/aging signs using a multi-study analysis of 13 microbiome datasets consisting of 16S rRNA amplicon sequence data and paired skin clinical data from the face. Results: We show that there is a negative relationship between microbiome diversity and transepidermal water loss, and a positive association between microbiome diversity and age. Aligned with a tight link between age and wrinkles, we report a global positive association between microbiome diversity and Crow's feet wrinkles, but with this relationship varying significantly by sub-study. Finally, we identify taxa potentially associated with wrinkles, TEWL and corneometer measures. Discussion: These findings represent a key step towards understanding the implication of the skin microbiota in skin aging signs.

Cutaneous wound healing promoted by topical administration of heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum KB131 and possible contribution of CARD9-mediated signaling

Optimal conditions for wound healing require a smooth transition from the early stage of inflammation to proliferation, and during this time alternatively activated (M2) macrophages play a central role. Recently, heat-killed lactic acid bacteria (LAB), such as Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) have been reported as possible modulators affecting the immune responses in wound healing. However, how signaling molecules regulate this process after the administration of heat-killed LAB remains unclear. In this study, we examined the effect of heat-killed L. plantarum KB131 (KB131) administration on wound healing and the contribution of CARD9, which is an essential signaling adaptor molecule for NF-kB activation upon triggering through C-type lectin receptors, in the effects of this bacterium. We analyzed wound closure, histological findings, and inflammatory responses. We found that administration of KB131 accelerated wound closure, re-epithelialization, granulation area, CD31-positive vessels, and α-SMA-positive myofibroblast accumulated area, as well as the local infiltration of leukocytes. In particular, M2 macrophages were increased, in parallel with CCL5 synthesis. The acceleration of wound healing responses by KB131 was canceled in CARD9-knockout mice. These results indicate that the topical administration of KB131 accelerates wound healing, accompanying increased M2 macrophages, which suggests that CARD9 may be involved in these responses.

Anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties of lactic acid bacteria and its peptides

Recent studies manifest an increase of inflammatory diseases at an alarming rate due to gut microbiota dysbiosis, genetic and other environmental factors. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are known for their antimicrobial properties and their extensive applications in food and pharmaceutical industries. Cyclic peptides are receiving increased attention due to their remarkable stability to withstand variations in temperature and pH. LAB produces anti-inflammatory that can inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines in macrophages. The structural backbones of cyclic peptides offer a promising approach for the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions. The current review aims to present the overview of anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties of LAB-derived cyclic peptides.

Antibacterial Mechanism of Shikonin Against Vibrio vulnificus and Its Healing Potential on Infected Mice with Full-Thickness Excised Skin

Shikonin has anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing activities. Vibrio vulnificus is an important marine foodborne pathogen with a high fatality rate and rapid pathogenesis that can infect humans through ingestion and wounds. In this study, the antibacterial activity and possible antibacterial mechanism of shikonin against V. vulnificus were investigated. In addition, the ability of shikonin to control V. vulnificus infection in both pathways was assessed by artificially contaminated oysters and full-thickness excised skin-infected mice. Shikonin treatment can cause abnormal cell membrane function, as evidenced by hyperpolarization of the cell membrane, significant decreased intracellular ATP concentration (p < 0.05), significant increased intracellular reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde content (p < 0.05), decreased cell membrane integrity, and changes in cell morphology. Shikonin at 40 and 80 μg/mL reduced bacterial numbers in shikonin-contaminated oysters by 3.58 and 2.18 log colony-forming unit (CFU)/mL. Shikonin can promote wound healing in mice infected with V. vulnificus by promoting the formation of granulation tissue, hair follicles, and sebaceous glands, promoting epithelial cell regeneration and epidermal growth factor production. These findings suggest that shikonin has a strong inactivation effect on V. vulnificus and can be used in food production and wound healing to effectively control V. vulnificus and reduce the number of diseases associated with it.

First isolation of a probiotic candidate Enterococcus mundtii from Herniaria glabra L. and evaluation of its wound healing activity

In this study focused on probiotic properties of bacterium isolated from Herniaria glabra L. is a medicinal plant. The bacterium was isolated from H. glabra, and it was identified using the molecular method as Enterococcus mundtii AF-1 strain. Antibiotic sensitivity tests showed that AF-1 strain was sensitive to streptomycin, tobramycin, gentamicin, imipenem, erythromycin, and ciprofloxacin. The strain exhibited γ-haemolytic activity. These results show that the strain can be considered safe. The AF-1 strain showed inhibitory activity against some pathogens, including Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. Additionally, AF-1 strain exhibited high tolerance to low pH, pepsin, pancreatin, and bile salts. These properties showed that the strain may survival under the gastrointestinal conditions. The strain showed 40% DPPH free radical scavenging activity. The autoaggregation rate of the strain was 72.46% and the strain exhibited the high coaggregation rate (70.77% with Escherichia coli, and 63.78% with Listeria monocytogenesis). AF-1 strain showed 38.10% adhesion towards n-hexane, and 47.62% adhesion toward chloroform. It has been found to have moderate hydrophobicity. These results demonstrated the beneficial colonization ability of the strain in the gut. Furthermore, it was observed that living cells of AF-1 strain showed healing activity in the artificial wound area. Result of studies, it is seen that AF-1 strain might be excellent a probiotic candidate.