Abstract

IN VIVO EVALUATION OF THE WOUND HEALING ACTIVITY OF WATER-SOLUBLE CHITIN FROM SHELLS OF LITOPENAEUS VANNAMEI (PENAEIDAE) AGAINST HYPERGLYCEMIC SPRAGUE DAWLEY RATS INDUCED WITH STREPTOZOTOCIN AND NICOTINAMIDE

Cachero J.A.A., Domalanta A.J.T., *Doria C.H.L.Q., Guce I.C., Gutierrez J.T.G, Tecson K.P., Villanueva C.R.R., Jazul J.P., Magtoto M.T. and Dacanay A.T.L.

ABSTRACT

Wound healing is a process which encompasses phases of inflammation, proliferation and remodeling. It is affected by conditions such as elevated blood glucose levels. This study was done to evaluate and establish the wound healing property of topically applied water-soluble chitin (WSC) in hyperglycemic rats. Chitin was isolated from shells of Litopenaeus vannamei (Penaeidae) through chemical treatment and was made water-soluble through alkali treatment. The WSC was subjected to Phenyl Hydrazine Test and Chitosan Color Test where it yielded a yellow osazone crystal and turned black, respectively, therefore, confirming the presence of chitin. Scratch and Patch tests were done to four (4) rabbits for dermal irritation test. Results revealed that there was no edema or erythema on the skin surface of rabbits. A group of Sprague Dawley rats (n=10) were made hyperglycemic through administration of Nicotinamide (230mg/kg) intraperitoneally followed by Streptozotocin (50mg/kg) intravenously. Each hyperglycemic rat received two lateral incisions, one treated with WSC (0.05 g/mL) and the other served as the negative control. After ten days, rats were euthanized and wound breaking strengths were measured. Tissue samples were harvested and subjected to histopathological examination. Results suggested that the wounds treated with WSC have significantly greater wound breaking strength (p<0.0001) and re-epithelialized extensively compared to the control. Hence, the WSC does not cause hypersensitivity in the skin of rabbits and can be a possible alternative to heal wounds in hyperglycemic rats.

Keywords: Wound breaking strength, incision, scratch test, patch test.