A Plant-Derived Wound Therapeutic for Cost-Effective Treatment of Post-Surgical Scalp Wounds with Exposed Bone

Abstract

Background: To evaluate efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a plant-derived wound dressing (ONE), a mixture of hypericum oil (Hypericum perforatum L.) and neem oil (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.), in scalp wounds with exposed bone. Patients and Methods: All patients with scalp wounds with exposed bone, following the excision of skin tumors, and treated with ONE in 2011 were included. Time of healing, wound size, area of exposed bone, ease of handling, pain, and complications were evaluated. Costs of dressings and nursing time were compared with those cited in literature for other treatment modalities. Results: Fifteen consecutive patients with a mean age of 76.87 ± 10.3 years (59-90 years) were analyzed. The mean wound size was 10.9 ± 6.84 cm² (0.4-22.6 cm²) with 4.8 ± 5.9 cm² (0.3-20.7 cm²) of exposed bone. The time of complete healing by secondary intention was 8.1 (4-20) weeks. Rapid formation of granulation tissue was observed which after 4 weeks covered the entire exposed bone surface in 11 of 15 cases (73%). Dressing change was simple with no pain reported; no infections or other complications occurred. Using ONE for a mean healing time of 56.7 days resulted in mean costs of EUR 423.73, which is substantially lower than those published for fascia lata, negative pressure therapy, or collagen matrix followed by skin grafting (EUR 1,612.82, EUR 4,411.80 and EUR 1,503.72, respectively). Conclusion: This retrospective, non-controlled analysis supports ONE as a simple-to-use and safe treatment option for scalp wounds with exposed bone. Treatment costs compare favorably to those published for other treatment modalities.

Treatment of peristomal wounds with a topic Neem and Red Hypericum Oil application: Case Studies

“…We chose 1 Primary Wound Dressing (1PWD), specially formulated from a proprietary combination of two plant's derived oils, Neem Oil and Red Hypericum (St. John's Wort, Oleum Hyperici) Oil. The product dates back to 2003, when its triple action as anti-inflammatory, insect repellent and antimicrobial was proven, and it gave very good results when tested in Wound Care [16][17][18][19][20][21]. In March 2018 the product obtained authorisation by the Italian Ministry of Health for use on neonatal paediatric patients.…”

“…In this study, we show the results of an innovative treatment approach to PWs that have not responded to treatment with traditional wound dressings. We used a topical application of the Neem Oil and Red Hypericum Oil, that, due to its bacteriostatic and antimicrobial features [16][17][18][19][20][21], was thought to be particularly suitable for treatment of PWs that get into contact with contaminated biological effluents.…”

Medicinal Plants and Natural Products with Demonstrated Wound Healing Properties

“…Juss.) in scalp wounds with exposed bone [119] and pediatric burn wounds [120] promoted healing in rats by enhancing granulation tissues formation and re-epithelialization.…”

A multidisciplinary approach to scars: a narrative review

“…Recently, Läuchli et al have proposed the treatment of scars on the head with exposed skull bone, with a mixture of hypericum oil ( Hypericum perforatum L.) and neem oil ( Azadirachta indica ), reporting a reduction in the time of healing and consequently a reduction of medical costs. 26 It must be emphasized that the authors do not compare the use of honey with a surgical procedure, which could considerably reduce the treatment times. 26 This mixture of hypericum oil ( H. perforatum L.) and neem oil ( A. indica ) was applied to major lesions on the diabetic foot as well as in the treatment of burns in children.…”

“… 26 It must be emphasized that the authors do not compare the use of honey with a surgical procedure, which could considerably reduce the treatment times. 26 This mixture of hypericum oil ( H. perforatum L.) and neem oil ( A. indica ) was applied to major lesions on the diabetic foot as well as in the treatment of burns in children. 27 , 28 Other plants such as Rosa mosqueta ( Rosa aff.…”