Healing in contaminated wounds treated with papain

Abstract

Introduction: Papain, an enzyme of vegetal origin, is widely used for the treatment of wounds, especially because of its anti-inflammatory and healing properties. Objectives: Study the histology of healing of wounds treated with papaine solutions Methods: A square section of skin was surgically removed from the cervical region of adult-male Wistar rats (n=18), which were divided into two groups: Group I - Control (n=9), contaminated with S. aureus and untreated; and Group II – Treated (n=9) contaminated with S. aureus and treated with 10, 6 and 4% papain solutions, according to the macroscopic morphological characteristics of the lesions. A histological analysis was made of the lesions, stained with hematoxilin and eosin and with Masson’s trichrome, at 7, 14 and 21 days. Results: The papain aided in the modulation of the inflammatory process, in the formation and maturation of the granulation tissue, and in the organization of the collagenous fibers; accelerating the proliferation and organization of the epidermis at the wounds throughout the healing process. Conclusions: Our data reinforce and complement previous research that details the healing effects of papain on contaminated wounds.