The effects of sericin cream on wound healing in rats.

Sericin has good hydrophilic properties, compatibility, and biodegradation, it can be used as a wound-healing agent. We evaluated the effects of sericin on wound healing and wound size reduction using rats by generating two full-thickness skin wounds on the dorsum. Group 1 animals were treated with Betadine on left-side (control) wounds and, with 8% sericin cream on right-side (treated) wounds. Group 2, cream base (formula control) and 8% sericin cream (treated) were topically applied to left-, and right-side wounds respectively. Sericin-treated wounds had much smaller inflammatory reactions, and wound-size reduction was much greater than in the control throughout the inspection period. Mean time in days for 90% healing from sericin-treated wounds was also much less than for cream base-treated wounds. Histological examination after 15 d of treatment with 8% sericin cream revealed complete healing, no ulceration, and an increase in collagen as compared to cream base-treated wounds, which showed some ulceration and acute inflammatory exudative materials.