Wound healing

Abstract

A method of treating a chronic wound in a subject in need of such treatment is provided. The method includes administering to the subject at least one antioxidant agent in an amount effective to treat the wound. In some versions, the antioxidant agent is α-tocopherol or N-acetyl cysteine, or a combination of these compounds.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating a chronic wound in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject at least one antioxidant agent in an amount effective to treat the wound. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one antioxidant agent is two or more antioxidant agents. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one antioxidant agent is a free radical scavenger, a lipid peroxidation inhibitor, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one antioxidant agent comprises N-acetyl cysteine, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione, lipoic acid, carotenes, coenzyme Q (ubiquinol), melatonin, ellagic acid, punicic acid, luteolin, catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxiredoxins, cysteine, flavenoids, phenolics, ergothioneine, a physiological salt thereof, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one antioxidant agent comprises α-tocopherol, N-acetyl cysteine, a physiological salt thereof, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chronic wound is a frankly chronic wound. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the frankly chronic wound contains exudate. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treating comprises dismantling of the biofilm, improvement in the re-epithelialization of the wound, improvement in maturity of the granulation tissue of the wound, decrease in wound infection, resolution of inflammation, increase in rate of wound healing, establishment of homeostasis, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is a human or animal. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the subject is a diabetic. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wound is treated by debridement before administering at least one antioxidant agent.