Therapeutic effects of topical application of ozone on acute cutaneous wound healing

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Wound Healing Research
• Biomedical Science

Background:

• Acute cutaneous wounds pose a significant clinical challenge.
• Olive oil is a traditional remedy, but its efficacy in wound healing is limited.
• Ozonated olive oil offers potential therapeutic benefits due to ozone's properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the therapeutic effects of topical ozonated olive oil on acute cutaneous wound healing.
• To elucidate the underlying therapeutic mechanisms of ozonated olive oil.
• To compare ozonated olive oil with pure olive oil and a control group in a guinea pig model.

Main Methods:

• Full-thickness skin wounds were created in guinea pigs using a 6 mm punch biopsy.
• Wound healing was assessed by measuring wound size and residual area over time.
• Histological analyses (H&E, Masson-trichrome) and immunohistochemical staining for growth factors (PDGF, TGF-β, VEGF) were performed.

Main Results:

• Ozonated olive oil significantly reduced wound size and residual area compared to pure olive oil and control groups.
• Histological examination revealed increased collagen fiber intensity and fibroblast proliferation in the ozonated olive oil group.
• Upregulation of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was observed.

Conclusions:

• Topical ozonated olive oil effectively accelerates acute cutaneous wound repair in a guinea pig model.
• The therapeutic mechanism involves enhanced collagen deposition, fibroblast proliferation, and increased expression of key growth factors.
• Ozonated olive oil presents a promising therapeutic agent for promoting wound healing.