A revisit to the effects of zinc salt on skin burn wound healing to reflect the risks in current pharmaceutical care. (17th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Osman, Mohammad Ammar Hakim; Wong, Tin Wui; Anuar, Nor Khaizan
• Is Part Of: Journal of dermatological treatment. Volume 31:Number 6(2020)
• Page Start: 651
• Page End: 654
• Publication Date: 2020-08-17
• Subjects: Skin -- wound -- zinc; Skin -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Skin Diseases -- drug therapy -- Periodicals; Skin Diseases -- therapy -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1080/09546634.2019.1639607
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-6634

Abstract

Abstract: The lower limit of soluble zinc content that can possibly be applied onto a wounded skin as a healing promoter was not known. This study examined skin wound healing process of rats inflicted by partial thickness thermal burn wound as a function of applied soluble zinc contents (0.1 ml of zinc chloride solution 0.01% (w/w) or 5.0% (w/w)). The size, surface morphology and histological profiles of wound beds of untreated rats and those treated with zinc chloride solutions were characterized. A soluble zinc content as low as 10.5 μg/cm 2 of skin negated skin wound healing when compared to the untreated rats. This was alarming as the commercial products currently in the market are formulated with a high level of zinc content. Albeit the zinc salt employed was water-insoluble, a minute fraction of soluble zinc might be available to the treatment sites. This could be partially responsible for the late adverse effects such as pruritis and inflammation reported with calamine/diphenhydramine lotion, medicated shampoo, Olay Complete defense moisturizing lotion and Zineryt ® topical solution. The skin irritation was likely a resultant oxidative stress action of soluble zinc, where a small fraction could be adequate to negate the skin homeostasis. Key messages: Zinc is essentially a cofactor for skin collagen formation. Soluble zinc content as low as 10.5 μg/cm 2 of skin irritates skin and negates burn wound healing. Skin irritation of commercial products relates to minute soluble zinc content availability.