Plasma-Activated Water as a Novel Irrigation Strategy for Seawater-Immersed Burn Wounds: Antibacterial Activity and Healing Promotion in Rats.

Objectives

Seawater-immersed burn wounds are highly susceptible to contamination, persistent inflammation, oxidative stress, and delayed healing, while current irrigation solutions remain suboptimal for such acute injuries. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and underlying mechanisms of plasma-activated water (PAW) as a novel irrigation strategy for these complex wounds.

Methods

The antibacterial efficacy of PAW against marine pathogens was first evaluated in vitro. Subsequently, a rat model of seawater-immersed burn injury was established in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats to assess the therapeutic effects of PAW irrigation on wound healing, infection control, and underlying biological mechanisms.

Results

In vitro, PAW significantly eradicated two major marine pathogens, Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus (p < 0.001). In vivo, PAW markedly accelerated wound closure, achieving complete healing in 23.60 ± 6.50 days vs. 38.67 ± 2.08 days (Normal saline group) and 58.33 ± 10.97 days (Model group) (p < 0.05). PAW significantly reduced bacterial burden, modulated inflammation by decreasing interleukin-6 and increasing interleukin-10, and alleviated oxidative stress, as evidenced by reduced malondialdehyde levels and enhanced superoxide dismutase activity. Histological evaluation demonstrated enhanced re-epithelialization, collagen deposition, and increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1. No adverse effects on serum biochemistry or major organ histopathology were observed.

Conclusions

PAW may be a safe, promising, and multifunctional irrigation strategy that promotes seawater-immersed burn healing through coordinated antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and pro-angiogenic effects, highlighting its strong potential for clinical translation.