Antibacterial effects of home‐made resin salve from Norway spruce (Picea abies)

Abstract

Resin salve made from Norway spruce (Picea abies) is traditionally used in folk medicine to heal skin ulcers and infected wounds. Its antimicrobial properties were studied against certain human bacteria important in infected skin wounds. The sensitivity of the resin against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was studied in vitro by methods that are routinely used in microbiology laboratories. The resin salve exhibited a bacteriostatic effect against all tested Gram-positive bacteria but only against Proteus vulgaris of the Gram-negative bacteria. Interestingly, the resin inhibited the growth of bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE), both on agar plates and in culture media. The study demonstrated antimicrobial activity of the resin salve and provided objective evidence of its antimicrobial properties. It gives some explanations why the traditional use of home-made resin salve from Norway spruce is experienced as being effective in the treatment of infected skin ulcers.

In vitro Bioactivity and Antimicrobial Activity of Picea abies and Larix decidua Wood and Bark Extracts

“…The authors suggested that the mechanisms through which the resin inhibits the development of the microbes are "specific" (Rautio et al 2012). Similarly, extracts of P. abies show microbicidal activity against Gram-positive bacteria, but not against Gram-negative bacteria (Rautio et al 2007). Nevertheless, a different pattern was reported in the European Pharmacopoeia, with P. abies exerting a microbicidal activity against the Gram-negative bacteria, E. coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Sipponen and Laitinen 2011).…”

Refined Spruce Resin to Treat Chronic Wounds: Rebirth of an Old Folkloristic Therapy

“…Studies with bacteria suggest that this action causes nonspecific damage and is mediated by terpenic resin acids. [13][14][15][16] In electrophysiological experiments, exposure of S. aureus to resin decreases the cell membrane proton gradient in bacterial cells. This phenomenon is considered to be associated with a disruption in proton transport in the membrane-bound adenosine triphosphatase, resulting in the uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation.…”

“…2,[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] As a result of this comprehensive translational research program, we have succeeded in showing through basic, clinical, and applied research that resin treatment in wound care is feasible and clinically effective. As far as we know, our research work regarding the medical use of spruce resin and its clinical applications in modern medicine are pioneering and globally unique.…”

“…[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Resin is a strong inhibitor of interleukin 1-beta, matrix metalloproteinase-3, and tumor necrosis factor alpha in the inflammation process, and the anti-inflammatory potential of components of resin is even superior to that of 0.5 lM dexamethasone (MD Biosciences, Inc., Glasgow, UK). Resin salve is a promising treatment option in infected or noninfected, acute or chronic, surgical or nonsurgical wounds and pressure ulcers.…”

“…Antibacterial activity covers common nosocomial infections, such as surgical wound infections caused by methicillinresistant S. aureus (MRSA) and vancomycinresistant Enterococcus (VRE) species. [12][13][14][15] In vivo. Resin's capacity to eradicate bacteria from chronic wounds has been demonstrated in vivo in the randomized, controlled clinical setting in patients whose severe pressure ulcers were treated with the resin salve.…”