Topical Brazilian propolis improves corneal wound healing and inflammation in rats following alkali burns

Abstract

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the Brazilian Scaptotrigona sp propolis, a widely used folk medicine, in corneal wound healing and inflammation.MethodsCorneal epithelial defects of 1 mm in diameter were made in the right eyes of Wistar male adult rats by cauterization with silver nitrate sticks. Subsequently, they were divided in two groups (n = 40 rats/group): Brazilian propolis (BP) group was topically treated with a microemulsion containing 1% Brazilian propolis; vehicle (VH) group received the same formulation without propolis. The epithelial defect area was photographed and measured at t = 0 (wound induction), and after 12, 24, 48 and 120 h of treatment. The inflammatory response was evaluated based on counting of neutrophils. Epithelial regeneration rates were determined based on Ki-67 expression in basal epithelial cells. Comparisons were made using the Kruskal-Wallis and the Mann–Whitney U test.ResultsThe BP group presented both smaller epithelial defect areas at 12, 24 and 48 h and fewer corneal infiltrating neutrophils at 24 and 48 h (P < 0.01) than the VH group. These effects were associated with more pervasive Ki-67 staining in the BP group at 12 and 24 h (P < 0.05).ConclusionsTopically applied BP accelerated wound healing and reduced the inflammatory response to silver nitrate-induced corneal alkali burns in rats.

Propolis restored adiponectin level in type 2 diabetes through PPARγ activation

“…Propolis treatment reduced TNF-α level in treated diabetic rat. These results are in agreement with other studies that reported anti-inflammatory properties of propolis [45]. Adipose tissue is an endocrine organ that plays a crucial role in pathophysiology of T2DM [46].…”

Recent developments in novel drug delivery systems for wound healing

“…propolis extracts was evaluated in silver nitrate-induced corneal epithelial defects in male wistar rats [46]. The topically applied microemulsion formulation was found to accelerate wound healing while also reducing the inflammatory response to chemical-induced corneal alkali burns in rats.…”

“…Different formulation approaches that have been successfully demonstrated include nano and microparticles, microemulsions, SLNs, sponges, liposomes, films and mats. These formulation techniques are applied to deliver therapeutic agents that inhibit a particular family of structurally related proteolytic enzymes, the MMPs that were found to be persistently elevated in wounds, retarding the progression towards closure [3,16]; to treat and overcome local microbial infections of the wounds [24,34,52]; to deliver agents that reduce pain associated with wounds [93,95]; to prevent the cell membranes against lipid peroxidation [12,91]; to reduce local inflammation associated with the wounds [46] or to promote formation of new blood vessels or angiogenesis in the skin wounds [39,40].…”

Pharmacokinetics of topically applied recombinant human keratinocyte growth factor-2 in alkali-burned and intact rabbit eye

“…The corneal epithelium plays important roles in the maintenance of corneal function and integrity. Corneal surface injuries are among the most frequent traumas of the eye, however, no commercial eye drops have been approved for clinical treatment (Martin et al, 2013). Corneal epithelium is very vulnerable to chemical, thermal, and mechanic injury.…”