Acceleration of wound healing responses induced by preparations from the epidermal secretions of the Arabian Gulf catfish ( Arius bilineatus,Valenciennes)

Abstract

Preparations involving fright-induced epidermal secretions from the Arabian Gulf catfish (Arius bilineatus) have been observed to accelerate wound healing in test animals. In this investigation, solubilized preparations containing 4–8 mg of protein were applied once to excised and incised full-thickness lesions of the flank skin of adult male mice (strain CD1) immediately after injury, while sterile saline was applied to the surface of control wounds. Changes in wound closure were assessed from photographs taken of the wound surface, while changes in cellularity were assessed by light microscopy. In excised lesions, a temporary reduction (lasting less than 24 h) was observed in the surface area of test wounds, while control wounds exhibited a temporary increase in surface area (wound gape). In incised lesions, the edges of test wounds treated with the preparations adhered to each other, while the edges of control wounds remained separated. Total and differential cell counts made in equivalent areas of excised wound beds showed that by 7 days after injury, there were significantly more fibroblasts and fewer inflammatory cells in the test group than in the controls, suggesting that the wounds treated with the preparations were at a more advanced stage of repair.