Malaysian fish extract used to make wound dressing spray

Posted On: October 25, 2011

Water extract from the Haruan fish in Malaysia has proved safe and effective for healing incision and burn wounds.

Haruan is a popular fish to eat in Malaysia and is thought to have wound healing properties due to the abundance of fatty and amino acids, which help blood clotting and reduce pain. When prepared as fillets, researchers cook the fish using distilled water in a pressure cooker. The fillets are discarded and the water extract left over is compounded into an aerosol spray.

Rabbits, mice and rats were used to examine Haruan water extract’s effect on skin, and the animals were then treated for incision and burn wounds with the extract in aerosol form. Two aerosol formulas were made using the water extract, one with fusidic acid and the other without. Those treated with the fusidic acid spray had a slower healing time as it inhibited the growth of scar tissue. Like many topical antibiotics, it is thought that fusidic acid is harmful to the wound healing cells.

The Haruan water extract spray without fusidic acid, however, was far more effective in helping collagen proliferate and fibroblast production. Specifically in burn wounds the spray keeps the wound site cool, reducing inflammation.

More info