Red propolis cream and its therapeutic potential for skin lesions caused by burns.

Abstract

Skin lesions, particularly burns, compromise the skin barrier and require effective treatment to accelerate healing and prevent infections. This study evaluated a topical formulation containing Olivem® 1000 and red propolis, which is rich in flavonoids, phenolic acids, and other bioactive compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Stability tests confirmed that the formulation remained stable under high temperatures, with minimal changes in pH and viscosity, ensuring long-term effectiveness. The microbiological analysis demonstrated potent antimicrobial activity, with no microbial growth detected after 28 days against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. In vitro assays on L929 cells revealed a concentration-dependent effect on viability, with cytotoxicity observed above 40 µg/mL (IC₅₀). The scratch assay demonstrated enhanced cell migration, indicating a positive effect on wound closure, while fluorescence microscopy confirmed increased cell proliferation and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, suggesting antioxidant protection. In addition, the formulation showed a marked reduction in the expression of pro-inflammatories, such as IL-6 and TNF-α. In vivo, treatment of second-degree burns in Wistar rats with Olivem®1000 and red propolis accelerated wound closure, reduced crust formation, and promoted more organized tissue compared to untreated controls. By day 21, nearly complete regeneration was observed, with a continuous epidermis and increased collagen deposition. Histological analysis revealed enhanced extracellular matrix organization. These findings underscore the formulation's capacity to enhance tissue repair, improve wound quality, thereby suggesting its potential as a preclinical candidate for further studies in the domain of burn treatment.