Aktisor® Wound Suspension in the Treatment of Ulcers with Multiple Etiologies

Abstract

Background: Aktisor® is a glycerol-based suspension which contains honey derived from Acacia, xanthan gum, and tannin-rich plant extracts from Alchemilla vulgaris (lady's mantle) and Mimosa tenuiflora (jurema). High levels of certain matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a role in chronic wounds by constantly degrading the extracellular matrix (ECM) and thus preventing cell attachment and cell growth. Besides, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) fail in the neutralization of MMPs. In addition to human MMPs, bacterial proteases have been found to influence tissue breakdown in infected wounds. Thus protease modulators are of a major importance and chronic wound treatment based on them is under active research. Objectives: The goal of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of dressings based on Aktisor® suspension in the treatment of chronic ulcers. Methods: Six patients with chronic ulcer [mean duration 1 year 5 months, (2-48 months)] who had received other than Aktisor® based treatment with no improvement over four weeks were included in this experiment. Results: Six patients experienced complete healing of their chronic ulcers. Conclusions: Aktisor® improved chronic wound healing and all the studied wounds healed after Aktisor® suspension was applied. Combination of tannin-rich plant extracts and honey might bring synergy thus adding bactericidal properties. This pilot study encourages for further studies.