Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester protects burn wounds against oxidative stress and improves wound healing

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is an active component of propolis, and has been shown to have anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects; in this study we studied its effects on burn wound healing. Twenty one female Wistar rats were divided in three groups: control (no burn)+CAPE, burn and burn+CAPE. A third‐degree burn was created. The CAPE treatment (10 μmol kg‐1; i.p.) began immediately after burn and lasted until euthanasia (14 days after burn). Fourteen days after wounding the burn+CAPE group presented greater wound contraction when compared to burn group. In plasma, lipid peroxidation was higher in burn group compared to control and burn+CAPE group. In wounds, burn+CAPE group presented a smaller lipid peroxidation than burn group. Carbonyl levels in plasma and lesions of the burn group were increased when compared to control group. In burn+CAPE group carbonyls levels were greater than the control only in wounds. Catalase activity was also analysed, and burn+CAPE group presented greater activity when compared to burn, but without difference when compared to the control group. It was also observed that both burn and burn+CAPE groups present a higher myeloperoxidase activity than control group, but the burn+CAPE group presented smaller myeloperoxidase activity compared to burn group. CAPE treatment improved wound contraction and reduced the oxidative damage of burns. Support: CAPES