Effect of bovine colostrum on open wound healing in guinea pigs

Colostrum is the only natural source of transforming growth factors (TGF-α and β) and insulin-like growth factors (IGF-1 and 2) which play a role in wound healing. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of bovine colostrum on secondary wound healing in a guinea pig model. Lyophilized bovine colostrum powder, in the form of an ointment (10 % w/w dried powder in semisolid paraffin ointment base), was evaluated for wound-healing potential in an excision wound in guinea pigs. The guinea pigs were divided into two groups of treatment (colostrums ointment) and control (ointment base), each group consisting of six guinea pigs. All animals were anaesthetized and a full-thickness excision wound (square area of 400 mm2) was created in the dorsum skin of all guinea pigs. Wound contraction and total wound healing rates were evaluated. Colostrum ointment found to possess wound healing activity which was evidenced by an increase in the rates of wound contraction and total wound healing when compared with the control group, although differences were not statistically significant. Results of this study indicated that bovine colostrum could improve quality of wound healing but more studies will need to be done to clarify whole bovine colostrum role in burn and infectious wounds.