A new adenine-containing metal-organic framework (MOF), [Zn4O(adenine)4(benzene-1,3-dicarboxylate)4Zn2] (named as ZnBDCA), was synthesized solvothermally. ZnBDCA possesses high quantum yield (>50%) and nano-channels that can encapsulate acriflavine molecules to build a host-guest chemopalette for approaching white-light emission.
Topical antiseptics are commonly used in the management of minor wounds, burns, and infected skin. These agents are widely used by health professionals and are often self-prescribed by patients as they are easily available over-the-counter. This case illustrates a 73 year old man who presented with a non-healing wound on his right forearm for 4 weeks. The wound started from an insect bite and progressively enlarged with increasing pruritus and burning sensation. Clinically an ill-defined ulcer with surrounding erythema and erosion was noted. There was a yellow crust overlying the center of the ulcer and the periphery was scaly. Further inquiry revealed history of self treatment with a yellow solution to clean his wound for 3 weeks. Patient was provisionally diagnosed to have allergic contact dermatitis secondary to acriflavine. Topical acriflavine was stopped and the ulcer resolved after treatment with non-occlusive saline dressing. Skin patch test which is the gold standard for detection and confirmation of contact dermatitis showed a positive reaction (2+) to acriflavine. Acriflavine is widely used as a topical antiseptic agent in this part of the world. Hence, primary care physicians managing a large variety of poorly healing wounds should consider the possibility of contact allergy in recalcitrant cases, not responding to conventional treatment. Patient education is an important aspect of management as this would help curb the incidence of future contact allergies.
Wound healing is a well-coordinated process that restores skin integrity upon injury. However, some wound treatment poses harmful effects on the skin, which delay the normal wound healing process. Marphysa moribidii, a marine baitworm or polychaete, represents unique ability to regenerate posterior segment after injury, which may be beneficial in the wound healing treatment. The effectiveness of the polychaete as wound healing treatment was discovered through skin irritation, microbial testing, animal wound model, and chemical identifications. Three polychaete extracts (PE) emulsifying ointment (0.1%, 0.5%, and 1.0%) were topically applied to the full thickness wound model once daily for 14 days. Interestingly, PE 1.0% revealed the most rapid wound healing effects as compared to other treatments, including gamat (sea cucumber) oil (15% w/v) and acriflavine (0.1% w/v). Histopathological analysis using Masson's trichrome staining further confirms that PE treated wound exhibited minimal scar, high collagen deposition, and the emergence of neovascularisation. The extract also displayed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.4 g/ml against Escherichia coli and absence of skin irritation, infectious bacteria, and heavy metals from the extract. Moreover, chemical compounds such as alkaloid, flavonoid, amino acids, and organic acid were detected in M. moribidii extracts, which could contribute to wound healing activity. In conclusion, this study further justifies the beneficial use of polychaete in treating wound healing and could be developed as a novel bioactive agent in nutraceuticals and pharmaceutical drugs.
Diopatra claparedii which is colloquially known as Ruat Sarung can be found along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The species has a unique ability to regenerate anterior and posterior segments upon self-amputation or injury, thus having potential as a wound healing promoter. In this study, the wound healing potential of D. claparedii aqueous extract on acute wound model in rats was revealed for the first time. Various concentrations (0.1%, 0.5%, and 1.0% w/w) of D. claparedii ointment were formulated and tested on Sprague Dawley rats through topical application on full-thickness skin wounds for 14 days. The wound healing effects were investigated via behaviour observation, wound contraction, and histopathological analysis. Quality assessment was performed via skin irritation test, microbial contamination test (MCT), and heavy metal detection. The study also included test for antibacterial activities and detection of bioactive compounds in D. claparedii. One percent of D. claparedii ointment showed rapid wound healing potential with good soothing effects and more collagen deposition in comparison to the commercial wound healing ointments such as acriflavine (0.1% w/v) and traditional ointment gamat (sea cucumber extract) (15.0% w/v). No local skin irritation, microbial contamination, and insignificant concentration of heavy metals were observed, which indicate its safe application. Moreover, the aqueous extract of D. claparedii exhibited antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value at 0.4 g/ml. 1H NMR analysis of the aqueous extract of D. claparedii revealed some metabolites that might be responsible for its wound healing properties such as amino acids, halogenated aromatics, organic acids, vitamins, and others. Altogether, these results suggested that the aqueous extract of D. claparedii could be utilised as an alternative natural wound healing promoter.