Comparison of the effects of Contractubex® gel in an experimental model of scar formation in rats: an immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Contractubex® gel, a commercial treatment for scars, consists of a mixture of onion extract (cepea extract), heparin sodium, and allantoin. It exerts a softening and smoothing effect on indurated, hypertrophic, painful, and cosmetically-disfiguring scar tissue.

AIM:

To compare and discuss the immunohistochemical and ultrastructural effects of treatment of an experimental scar in a rat model with Contractubex gel.

METHODS:

Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. Skin biopsies were taken to develop full thickness wounds. After 10 days, Contractubex gel, heparin, and allantoin were topically applied daily to groups 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Group 1 was the control group. On the 30th day, scar tissues were excised to investigate the immunohistochemical and ultrastructural effects of these agents. For this purpose we used TGF-beta, laminin, and fibronectin primary antibodies.

RESULTS:

Increased immunoreactivities of laminin, fibronectin, and TGF-beta in control group, moderate immunoreactivities in heparin and allantoin groups, and mild immunoreactivities in the Contractubex gel group were observed. In semi-thin sections, Group 2 showed the thinnest epidermis of the four groups. In electron micrographs of Group 2, completely keratinized and normally appearing cells could be seen.

CONCLUSIONS:

Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural observations demonstrated that the Contractubex gel significantly improved the quality of wound healing and reduction of scar formation. Also, it was a more appropriate treatment choice than heparin monotherapy and allantoin monotherapy in keloidal and hypertrophic scars.

• Authors: Mustafa T Sahin, Sevinc Inan, Serap Ozturkcan, Elif Guzel, Cemal Bilac, Gülsen Giray, Sevda Muftuoglu
• Journal: Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD (J Drugs Dermatol) Vol. 11 Issue 1 Pg. 74-81 (Jan 2012) ISSN: 1545-9616 [Print] United States
• PMID: 22206081 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Drug Combinations
• Gels
• Plant Extracts
• allantoin, heparin, onion extract drug combination
• Allantoin
• Heparin

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Allantoin (administration & dosage)
• Animals
• Cicatrix (drug therapy, pathology)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Drug Combinations
• Female
• Gels
• Heparin (administration & dosage)
• Plant Extracts (administration & dosage)
• Random Allocation
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Skin (chemistry, drug effects, ultrastructure)
• Treatment Outcome