Use of mouse footpad model to test effectiveness of wound dressings

Acemannan, a complex carbohydrate consisting of a -(1,4)-linked polymannose acetate, is a major carbohydrate component of aloe vera leaf pulp. To test the effectiveness of acemannan in a wound environment, we utilized a unique mouse footpad model. Chemically pure acemannan was applied topically to incised mouse tarsal wounds either in solution at three different concentrations or in the form of a gel. The wounds were scored by a double-blind procedure that permitted a controlled comparison between treated and control wounds. Statistical analysis determined wounds treated topically with acemannan resulted in significantly better wound healing as reflected by lower wound scores in treated feet compared to controls. This effect was dependent upon the dose of acemannan applied to the wound and was detectable when acemannan was applied in solution or in a gel. Other carbohydrate solutions were tested but showed no effect on wound healing. Because acemannan was suspected to stimulate macrophage cytokine production, mouse peritoneal macrophages were exposed to different doses of acemannan and other carbohydrates in vitro and resulted in a dose-dependent release of IL-1, TNF, and IL-6. We hypothesize the effect of acemannan on wound healing is probably mediated through local cytokine release from wound macrophages.

Use of mouse footpad model to test effectiveness of wound dressings Academic Article