Ulmoplus® Increases FGF-2 Expression and Promote Burn Wound Healing

The role of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) in the wound repair process has been described, particularly during the stimulation of angiogenesis in the proliferative phase. Ulmo honey (Eucryphia cordifolia) has demonstrated important bactericidal, fungicidal, antioxidant and healing properties. Ulmoplus (R), a honey-based medicinal product, accelerates healing time and promotes fibroblast activation and collagen fiber production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of endogenous FGF-2 in burns treated with Ulmoplus (R) vs. the gold standard (hydrogel-tull), and Ulmo honey as the first step to clarifying the regulatory mechanism of this therapeutic option. 15 adult guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) were used, divided into three groups: C+: positive control treated with hydrogel-tull (gold standard); E1: experimental group treated with Ulmo; and E2: experimental group treated with Ulmoplus (R). A deep uniform burn was made under anesthetic that covered 1 cm(2) of the skin on the back of each animal. The daily treatments were administered with hydrogel-tull, Ulmo honey or Ulmoplus (R), where appropriate. On treatment day 10 the biopsies were taken and processed for histological and immunohistochemical analysis. The immunolabeling was quantified through an integrated optical density (IOD) analysis, expressed as lum/mu m(2) using the ImageProPremier 9.1 software. The endogenous expression of FGF-2 was consistent with the stage of healing presented by the study groups, varying in its localization and IOD intensity. The E2 group presented a significantly higher IOD (60053.55 +/- 59877.84 lum/ mu m(2)) than the C+ (p = 0.001) and E1 (p = 0.001) groups. Our findings indicated that the medicinal Ulmoplus (R) honey is effective at facilitating wound closing, and the promoter effect of FGF-2 expression accelerated the healing process compared to the treatments with hydrogel-tull (gold standard) and Ulmo honey.