Development of a Film-Forming Wound Dressing from Periplaneta americana Grease: Formulation, Characterization, and Bioevaluation
Summary: Researchers at Dali University (Yunnan, China) have developed and characterized PAP, a novel film-forming topical wound agent derived from Periplaneta americana grease (PAG) — the lipid-rich fraction of a traditional Chinese medicine source with documented wound-repair properties. PAG was formulated into a PVA-124/PVP-based film-forming system using orthogonal experimental design, producing a transparent, flexible, adherent film that conforms to wound surfaces, maintains a moist environment, and localizes bioactive compounds at the wound site. GC-MS characterization revealed PAG’s complex composition, rich in heterocyclic compounds, terpenoids, sterols, and alkanolamines. In vitro, PAP demonstrated potent free radical scavenging activity comparable to vitamin C and selective antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. In a murine full-thickness wound model, PAP achieved a 98.2% healing rate by day 10 — comparable to bFGF and the established wound treatment Kangfuxin solution — with vehicle controls confirming that all bioactivity was attributable to the PAG fraction. Histological analysis demonstrated enhanced re-epithelialization, reduced inflammation, and superior collagen organization. Authors note further validation in chronic wound models (diabetic, ischemic) and comprehensive safety assessment are needed before clinical translation.
Key Highlights:
- 98.2% wound closure rate at day 10, matching bFGF and Kangfuxin liquid positive controls
- Multifunctional: antioxidant (DPPH/ABTS), antibacterial (S. aureus-selective), and pro-regenerative
- Vehicle control confirms healing effects are attributable to PAG, not the film matrix
- Shear-thinning rheology supports easy application; superior mechanical properties vs. vehicle film
- GC-MS profiling identifies terpenoids, sterols, and heterocyclic compounds as key bioactive classes
- Relevance: Novel insect-derived biomaterial approach to multifunctional, patient-friendly topical wound management
Keywords: film-forming wound dressing, wound healing natural products, antioxidant wound care, Staphylococcus aureus wound, traditional Chinese medicine wound
Qian Wang
Zhuohui He
Siyu Ji
Jie Zhao
Pengfei Gao
Yunchuan Yang
Lijuan Li
Hairong Zhao
Chenggui Zhang