Blueberries have many benefits! Study about wild blueberry extract may accelerate wound healing
Recently, according to foreign media reports, new research shows that the extract of wild blueberry can heal wounds and accelerate wound healing.
Chronic wounds, such as sores and pressure sores associated with diabetes, may be classified as "non healing" because these wounds are usually accompanied by decreased vascularization (nutrient rich vascular development). Vascularization is necessary for wound healing.
Researchers at the University of Maine have previously found that phenolic extracts from wild blueberries can improve angiogenesis and cell migration of human umbilical cord cells. In this new study, the team examined the effects of phenolic extracts on living wounds. Phenols are naturally occurring compounds in some foods, which can be used as antioxidants to prevent or reverse some forms of cell damage.
Researchers treated a group of rats with a topical gel containing wild blueberry phenol extract. Compared with animals treated with base gel without phenolic extract and untreated control group, the treatment group showed improved migration of endothelial cells to the wound site and increased wound closure by 12%.
Researchers say wild blueberries have the potential to enhance cell migration, neovascularization (angiogenesis) and accelerate wound closure. This is good news for patients with chronic wounds such as diabetes wounds, burns and pressure ulcers.
