Abstract

The benefits of probiotic microorganisms have been tested in several studies and they show many positive effects on human health like reduction of serum cholesterol, stimulation of immune system and prevention or treatment of human infections. This study has shown the activity of Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus plantarum isolated from Iranian traditional cheese on cutaneous wound and describes the difference in healing activity between these two Lactobacilli. Some strains of Lactobacillus isolated from traditional dairy products of Iran were investigated for exopolysaccharide (EPS) production using the phenol-sulfuric acid method. L. brevis and L. plantarum were selected because they have high exopolysaccharide (EPS) production. A full-thickness wound (1.5 × 1.5 cm) was made on the back of each rat (45 rats in 4 groups). Two groups, experimental 1 and experimental 2, were treated by L. brevis, and L. plantarum that were added to eucerin. A control group was treated with eucerin and a negative-control group, additionally, did not receive anything. On days 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21, the rats were killed and wound tissue samples were collected for histological and statistical studies. The percentage of wound healing and inflammation in the experimental groups on day 21, when compared with the control and negative control groups, were significant (p≤0.05). In contrast to the control and negative-control groups, the number of neutrophils in the experimental groups was reduced in the later phase of wound healing. The current study showed a significant reduction in inflammation and an acceleration of wound healing in wounds treated with Lactobacilli as compared to the control and negative control groups. Further studies are required to develop a mechanism of L. brevis and L. plantarum during wound healing.

Key words: Cutaneous wound, exopolysaccharide, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus plantarum.