Desenvolvimento e avaliação in vitro da atividade cicatrizante de membranas poliméricas incorporadas com própolis vermelha

Abstract

Skin lesions are highly complex and dynamic processes that involve biochemical and physiological phenomena. The skin lesions represent a major challenge for health professionals, with need to develop more accessible, efficient and cost effective resources in the treatment of wounds. One of the major challenges is the replacement of injured tissues of the body with biocompatible biopolymers, which are known for having healing properties and because they are abundant in nature, making their use, attractive for the fabrication of dressings for skin lesions. The inclusion of therapeutic agents of natural origin in polymeric bases arises as an alternative for the treatment of wounds. In this context, we highlight the red propolis, with varied and important biological activities. In this study, we sought to develop biopolimeric membranes enriched with the ethanolic extract of red propolis (EERP) and evaluate its healing activity in vitro. Biopolimeric membranes of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)-pectin were obtained with the inclusion of EERP, at a concentration of 10%. The addition of EERP at the polymer mixture was considered satisfactory. There were no changes in appearance, with the exception of the color, typical of red propolis, on the morphology of the membranes, fluid absorption capacity and resulted in high efficiency of incorporation and appropriate kinetic control of release of total flavonoids with a plateau at 240 min. The chromatographic results showed 6 major flavonoids: Daidzein, Pinobanksina, isoliquiritigenina, formononetina, bolusontol and Biochanin A.Additionally, the formulations presented a high antioxidant potential in vitro (FRAP- 147.8 mmol of Fe(II) g-1 for EERP; radical scavenging potential from DPPH – IC50 43.70 g mL-1). For allergic response, the β-hexosaminidase assay, widely used to monitor mast cell degranulation was used. The developed membranes were shown to have no allergenic properties. A good healing activity was also observed in vitro, by fibroblast migration assessment, once those membranes showed an accelerated closing of 20% of the wound. Thus, we can conclude that the membranes enriched with EERP have proven to be a great option for the repair of injuries and may be useful in obtaining efficient and low-cost products, contributing for alternative and complementary health treatments.