Spice Up Wound Healing

Chronic wounds are at-risk for developing infectious colonies of bacteria (biofilms) that can raise a person’s chances of medical complications from the wound.  In that essential oils and other natural compounds have emerged recently as alternative substances to eradicate pathogenic bacteria, Vincent M. Rotello, from the University of Massachusetts (Massachusetts, USA), and colleagues explored peppermint oil and cinnamon (containing cinnamaldehyde).  Packaging these compounds into silica nanoparticles, the team found that the microcapsule treatment was effective against four different types of bacteria –  including one antibiotic-resistant strain. It also promoted the growth of fibroblasts  –  a cell type that is important in wound healing.