Healing activity evaluation of a galactomannan gel with Cratylia mollis seed lectin (Cramoll) in mice lesions infected by Staphylococcus aureus.

This study evaluated the healing potential of a galactomannan gel, obtained from the seeds of Cassia grandis, and the glucose/mannose specific lectin extracted from Cratylia mollis seeds (Cramoll), free and incorporated in the gel, in BALB/c mice skin lesions induced by Staphylococcus aureus. Seventy-five male mice were infected with 40 µL of a suspension of S. aureus ATCC 25923 (5×108 CFU) by subcutaneous injection in their back and randomly divided into 5 groups (n=15). After 3 days, the lesions erupted and the animals were treated for 12 days with the following topical treatments: saline (negative control-NC); mupirocin (positive control-PC); galactomannan gel (GG); galactomannan gel with incorporated Cramoll (GC); and free Cramoll (CC). Histological and microbiological analyses revealed that GC and CC presented crust on the 7th day, however, NC, PC, and GG presented inflammatory infiltrate, edema, and necrosis. On the 12th day, only NC did not present complete reepithelialization. The absence of S. aureus on the 7th day for PC and CC, and on the 12th day for GG and GC, indicated that galactomannan gel and Cramoll are efficient for healing skin lesions, and that Cramoll should be specifically indicated when infections are involved.