Influence of papain urea copper chlorophyllin on wound matrix remodeling

The purpose of this study was to examine the dermal and epidermal alterations associated with wound healing in wounds treated with papain urea copper chlorophyllin (PUC), papain-urea, copper chlorophyllin, or urea base ointment and compare these with moist wound care using a porcine full-thickness infected wound model. All the wounds were evaluated postsurgery for erythema, transepidermal water loss, microscopic morphology, and changes in protein expression. Examination of stained paraffin sections revealed an increase in the number of keratinocytes present in the epidermis of the PUC and papain-treated pigs, relative to moist control. This increase in keratinocyte number corresponded to an increase in the movement of the keratinocytes into the underlying dermis in the form of rete pegs. In the dermis, there appeared to be an increase in blood vessel formation, collagen I deposition, and mature collagen in the papain and PUC treated tissues. The quality of healing appears to be enhanced based on the number of keratinocytes present in the epidermis, the extensive rete peg formation, the increase in vasculature, and the increase in collagen birefringence.