Topical Brazilian propolis improves corneal wound healing
and inflammation in rats following alkali burns
Background
The 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.
Methods
Corneal 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.
Results
The 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).
Conclusions
Topically applied BP accelerated wound healing and reduced
the inflammatory response to silver nitrate-induced corneal alkali burns in
rats.
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