Basavraj S. Nagoba, PhD; Namdev M. Suryawanshi, MD; Bharat Wadher, PhD; Sohan Selkar, MPhT
Courtesy of Wounds. 2015;27(1):5-11. Click here for full text on Medscape
Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
Introduction Topical application of acids, such as citric acid, acetic acid, ascorbic acid, boric acid, and algenic acid, to wounds to control infection and to promote healing has been reported in various earlier studies. The present review summarizes the role of surface pH and acidic environment in the process of wound healing, and attempts to cover recent developments in wound healing with special reference to acidic environment and its physiological effects on the wound healing process.
Methods A literature search was performed in PubMed using appropriate keywords, as well as a manual search using references cited in original publications and relevant review articles. Out of 115 articles found, 45 of the most relevant articles were evaluated and analyzed, and relevant data were included.
Results The studies show that an acidic environment created by use of acid helps in wound healing by controlling wound infection, increasing antimicrobial activity, altering protease activity, releasing oxygen, reducing toxicity of bacterial end products, and enhancing epithelization and angiogenesis.
Conclusion The current review of the literature indicates the acidic environment plays an important role in the promotion of wound healing.
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