Shields and hydrolates: biogel from Crimean plants will help against burns and infections

Crimean scientists have developed an innovative medicinal biogel with an antibacterial effect. It can be used in the treatment of burns of varying degrees, as well as to prevent the development of nosocomial infection. It is based on hydrolates from medicinal plants native to the peninsula, such as mountain savory. According to the developers, the formulations showed a pronounced bactericidal, healing and immunostimulating effect. And several batches of funds were sent to the CBR area.

What is the use of hydrolates?

Scientists of the Engineering Center "Genetic and Cellular Biotechnologies" of the V.I. Vernadsky KFU have developed a medicinal biogel aimed at overcoming antibiotic resistance. The drug can be used in the treatment of burns of varying degrees, as well as to prevent the development of nosocomial infection.

The resistance of microorganisms to chemotherapeutic agents used in medicine is one of the global medical problems, the doctors emphasized. One of the options for an effective solution to this problem is the use of natural substances, including hydrolates obtained during the processing of plant raw materials, primarily medicinal plants of the Crimean Peninsula.

Processing of essential oil rose to obtain essential rose oil and hydrolate

Photo: TASS/Andrey Rubtsov

According to experts, these formulations, unlike essential oils, contain lower, but no less effective concentrations of functionally active components, which allows them to be used in the treatment of wounds and burns in undiluted form.

Scientists of the Engineering Center of the Crimean Federal University conducted research on the properties of mountain savory hydrolates and a mixture of hydrolates, including savory, sage, coriander and lavender in laboratory experiments in vitro and in modeling a complicated burn of III degree in vivo (on living organisms). The use of biologically active substances was carried out in the form of a biogel developed by scientists.

Photo: KFU named after Vernadsky

— The results obtained during the tests showed pronounced bactericidal, healing and immunostimulating results in the treatment with mountain savory hydrolate. The effectiveness of using gels with such a compound for burns of varying degrees has shown faster healing of the wound surface, restoration of epithelialization in a shorter time," Anatoly Kubyshkin, director of the engineering center, told Izvestia.

The antibacterial effect of plants

The use of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain resistant to a number of antibiotics in the experiment showed a good effect of biogel on reducing wound infection.

Based on the conducted research, the scientists managed to create a prototype gel with mountain savory hydrolate, which can be used in the treatment of burns of varying degrees in hospital patients and to prevent the development of nosocomial infection, including burn wounds.

— The release of the developed spray has been adjusted on a production scale by one of the partners of the engineering center. Several batches of funds were sent to the CBO area," Anatoly Kubyshkin added.

Hydrolates are interesting and potentially useful skin care products known as floral or herbal waters. It is a product of steam distillation of plants, which has a number of advantages due to its mild action, moisturizing, toning and aromatic properties. They can be a pleasant addition to the routine of skin care, and some of them are able to provide gentle support in healing small wounds, said Ekaterina Pashchenko, dermatovenerologist, cosmetologist, trichologist at SM-Cosmetology.

Photo: KFU named after Vernadsky

— Due to the water content, they can help maintain optimal moisture levels in the wound area. Some hydrolates, such as chamomile, lavender, and calendula, have anti-inflammatory properties, and reducing inflammation can promote faster and smoother healing. Such as tea tree or lavender have mild antiseptic properties and can help prevent secondary infection of small wounds. Aloe vera and calendula are traditionally used to stimulate skin regeneration and wound healing," the expert said.

It is important to understand that for the treatment of serious wounds (deep, infected, burns, etc.) it is necessary to consult a doctor and follow medical treatment protocols. Hydrolates cannot be a substitute for antibiotics, antiseptics and other medications needed in such cases, the doctor emphasized.

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In recent years, there have been more and more developments promising a "revolution" in the treatment of wounds and in the fight against antibiotic resistance, Sergey Iskovskikh, a therapist and specialist in ultrasound diagnostics at the Center for Molecular Diagnostics (CMD) in Orenburg at the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor, commented on the development to Izvestia.

— There are no clinical studies yet, only laboratory tests. And a promising idea is not equal to a ready-made drug. If there is no clinical trial data, this is just a hypothesis," the specialist said.

However, the doctor noted that, unlike experimental developments, some hydrolates already have an evidence base. We are talking about lavender, tea tree and calendula.