Parkia pendula seed lectin: potential use to treat cutaneous wounds in healthy and immunocompromised mice

Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2014 Mar;172(5):2682-93. doi: 10.1007/s12010-013-0692-2. Epub 2014 Jan 15.

Abstract

Parkia pendula seed lectin was used to treat cutaneous wounds of normal and immunocompromised mice, inducing cicatrization. Methotrexate (0.8 mg/kg/week) was used as immunosuppressive drug. Wounds were produced in the dorsal region (1 cm(2)) of female albino Swiss mice (Mus musculus), health and immunocompromised. Wounds were daily topically treated with 100 μL of the following solutions: (1) control (NaCl 0.15 M), (2) control Im (0.15 M NaCl), (3) P. pendula seed lectin (100 μg/mL), and (4) P. pendula seed lectin Im (100 μg/mL). Clinical evaluation was performed during 12 days. Biopsies for histopathology analysis and microbiological examinations were carried out in the second, seventh, and 12th days. The presence of edema and hyperemia was observed in all groups during inflammatory period. The first crust was detected from the second day, only in the groups treated with P. pendula seed lectin. Microbiological analysis of wounds from day 0 to day 2 did not show bacterium at P. pendula seed lectin group; however, Staphylococcus sp. was detected every day in the other groups. The lectin markedly induced a total wound closing at P. pendula seed lectin and P. pendula seed lectin Im groups on 11th day of evolution. The present study suggests that P. pendula seed lectin is a biomaterial potential to show pharmacological effect in the repair process of cutaneous wounds.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Fabaceae / chemistry*
  • Female
  • Immunocompromised Host*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects
  • Mice
  • Plant Lectins / isolation & purification
  • Plant Lectins / pharmacology*
  • Seeds / chemistry
  • Skin / immunology
  • Skin / injuries*
  • Skin / microbiology
  • Staphylococcal Skin Infections / drug therapy
  • Staphylococcal Skin Infections / immunology*
  • Staphylococcal Skin Infections / microbiology
  • Staphylococcus / drug effects
  • Staphylococcus / growth & development
  • Wound Healing / drug effects*
  • Wound Healing / immunology

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Plant Lectins
  • Methotrexate