Harnessing the wound healing potential of a conifer balm: re-epithelialization enhancing effects of Norway spruce balm (Picea abies)

Wound healing and anti-infective preparations from natural sources were of fundamental importance in the pre-antibiotic era. Nowadays wound therapy faces resistances against multiple microorganisms and new agents derived from nature are in demand. One of those traditional herbal medicines is the balm of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst., Pinaceae) which has been shown to be effective in subjects with chronic wounds by clinical trials. [1] [2] However, the active constituents, their mode of action and the quantitative composition remain unknown.

For this reason the isolation and identification of constituents with the subsequent examination of their effect in an in vitro re-epithelialization model was targeted. Flash chromatography, SFC, HPLC-UV-DAD as well as LC-MS, 1D- and 2D-NMR were used for isolation and structure elucidation of pure compounds. A potential effect on proliferation or migration (re-epithelialization) in a HaCaT keratinocyte based model was examined by monitoring the closure of a gap in the cell monolayer.

Four extracts of Norway spruce balm and nine pure compounds (resin acids, their hydroxylated derivatives, the labdane diterpene abienol and the lignan pinoresinol) were tested in the cell model. Among them three compounds were detected to induce a faster closure of the cell free area compared to the vehicle control.

First insights into the complex composition of Norway spruce balm were gained. Additionally the effect on re-epithelialization could be – at least in part – traced back to some of the isolated pure compounds.

• References

• 1 Sipponen A, Kuokkanen O, Tiihonen R, Kauppinen H, JJ Jokinen. Natural coniferous resin salve used to treat complicated surgical wounds: pilot clinical trial on healing and costs. Int J Dermatol 2012; 51: 726-732
• 2 Sipponen A, JJ Jokinen, Sipponen P, Papp A, Sarna S, Lohi J. Beneficial effect of resin salve in treatment of severe pressure ulcers: a prospective, randomized and controlled multicentre trial. Br J Dermatol 2008; 158: 1055-1062