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Ointments containing Ceratothoa oestroides extract: Evaluation of their healing potential in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers
Author(s) -
Meimeti Evangelia,
Tentolouris Nikolaos,
Manes Christos,
Loupa Chariclia,
Provatopoulou Xeni,
Mostratos Dimitrios,
Vitsos Andreas,
Roussis Vassilios,
Tzouvelekis Leonidas,
Miriagou Vivi,
Rallis Michail
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
wound repair and regeneration
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.847
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1524-475X
pISSN - 1067-1927
DOI - 10.1111/wrr.12771
Subject(s) - medicine , diabetic foot , transepidermal water loss , wound healing , foot (prosody) , antibiotics , surgery , complication , diabetes mellitus , dermatology , traditional medicine , philosophy , stratum corneum , pathology , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , endocrinology , linguistics
Diabetic foot ulceration is a common and severe complication of diabetes, causing substantial social, medical, and economic burdens. Treatment of foot ulcers remains challenging, thus requiring increasing awareness and more efficient management. This study investigates the efficacy of ointments, containing as main active ingredient the olive oil extract of the marine isopod Ceratothoa oestroides , in the treatment of patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Fifty‐two patients were allocated into four treatment groups either receiving therapy with an ointment containing extract of C. oestroides or extract of C. oestroides and eosin or extract of C. oestroides and cefaclor or no treatment. Patients were monitored for a period of 135 days by evaluation of transepidermal water loss, skin hydration, planimetry, photo‐documentation, and clinical condition. Treatment with the extract of C. oestroides demonstrated significant healing properties that became evident after 45 days of treatment and resulted in complete ulcer healing in 61% of the patients. A significant improvement in transepidermal water loss ( p < 0.001), skin hydration levels ( p < 0.001), and wound area ( p < 0.001) was observed in all patients. Similar efficacy was demonstrated for the combination of C. oestroides extract with eosin treatment ( p < 0.001). On the contrary, the combination of C. oestroides extract with cefaclor antibiotic agent completely inhibited the healing properties of the isopod extract and did not improve water loss, skin hydration, or wound area. An important factor for C. oestroides extract healing properties is its selective activity against Gram negative bacteria. Ointments containing C. oestroides extract alone or combined with the antimicrobial agent eosin emerges as an effective regimen for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.