The vegetal biomembrane in the healing of chronic venous ulcers

• Published in: Anais brasileiros de dermatología 2012-02, Vol.87 (1), p.45-51
• Main Authors: Frade, Marco Andrey Cipriani, Assis, Raimunda Violante Campos de, Coutinho Netto, Joaquim, Andrade, Thiago Antônio Moretti de, Foss, Norma Tiraboschi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Cell Membrane - chemistry; Chronic Disease; Collagenases - therapeutic use; DERMATOLOGY; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hevea; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Phytotherapy; Plant Preparations - therapeutic use; Treatment Outcome; Varicose Ulcer - drug therapy; Varicose Ulcer - pathology; Wound Healing - drug effects
• ISSN: 0365-0596; 1806-4841; 1806-4841; 0365-0596
• DOI: 10.1590/S0365-05962012000100005

The vegetal biomembrane has been used to treat cutaneous ulcers. To assess the role of the vegetal biomembrane on the chronic venous ulcers treatment compared to treatment with collagenase cream. Fourteen patients were selected to be treated with vegetal biomembrane and 7 with Fibrase(®) (CONTROL), followed clinically and photographically by the Wound Healing Index by ImageJ during 120 days and biopsied on the 1(st) and 30(th) days for histological examination. The vegetal biomembrane was better in promoting healing of the ulcers, especially on the inflammatory phase, confirmed by abundant exudation and wound debridement than the CONTROL group, on the 30th day. There was a greater tendency to angiogenesis followed by re-epithelialization with highest wound healing index on the 90(th) and 120(th) days. A combined analysis of clinical and histopathological findings suggests that the vegetal biomembrane acted as a factor inducing wound healing, especially on the inflammatory phase, confirmed by abundant exudation of the lesions promoting the transformation of the microenvironment of the chronic venous ulcers, and also stimulating angiogenesis and subsequent re-epithelialization.