Dressing made of womb for injuries

Scientists have developed ‘biological skin dressing’ from the placenta of human womb for wound management and healing of burns.

This feat was achieved by a Jodhpur-based defence laboratory of DRDO and could go a long way in treating lakhs of fire accidents reported in India. The treatment involves a processed amniotic membrane and silver nanoparticle-based antimicrobial skin dressing.

Chitin membranes containing silver nanoparticles is used as an antimicrobial agent in wound dressings and other skin injuries. This is in an advanced stage of toxicological evaluation after which they can be used in hospitals. The amniotic membrane is ready for use.

According to US National Institutes of Health, chitin is a biopolymer envisioned to promote rapid dermal regeneration and accelerate wound healing.

Dr Ritha Singh, a scientist of the lab who developed the technology, said, “Skin dressings provide a coverage to wounds and prevent infection and promote healing. The fresh unprocessed amniotic membrane has a risk of disease transmission and short life span. But the processed radiation sterilised amniotic membrane that we developed has long shelf life, advantage of storage at room temperature, east of distribution, clinically safe and have high sterility assurance level. Amniotic membranes collected from human placenta are processed and sterilised by gamma radiation for long term use at the defence lab.”

The Chitin antimicrobial dressing would reduce wound bio burden, decrease the risk of infection and create an environment that supports normal healing.