Burns are serious consequences of
trauma in terms of both imminent mortality and prolonged periods of morbidity. They are often accompanied by unsatisfactory cosmetic as well as functional and psychological outcomes. These complications emphasise the need for stronger efforts in achieving greater diversity and effectiveness in the treatment of skin
burns. This study aimed to verify the effectiveness of gross and microscopic epidermal and dermal responses in the process of regenerative repair or healing of
burns in rats that were treated either daily with 5%
propolis ointment or by autologous amnion graft. Second-degree
burns were inflicted in the neck region of female rats by contact with a hot
metal (
at 130 °C) for 5 s.
Propolis treatment accelerated the process of tissue repair and led to decreased local
inflammation, which indicates that treatment with
propolis was successful in the initial period (7 days) and stimulated the production of
collagen fibre (assessed by morphometry) in all the periods evaluated (14 and 21 days). Amnion treatment inhibited local
inflammation (assessed macroscopically), stimulated local epithelial regeneration (assessed microscopically) and stimulated the production of
collagen fibre (assessed by morphometry) in the days following
burn. These treatments offer new therapeutic strategies for treating severe skin
burns; these strategies may allow the minimisation of
scar formation, a more rapid return of function and, ultimately, a better quality of life for
burn patients.