INTRODUCTION: Sclerotherapy is the most widely used method for the treatment of varicose veins of the lower limbs. The most common complication is the appearance of hyperchromic spots in the treated region. Pycnogenol^® has long been known as a phlebotonic, anti-inflammatory and skin depigmenting drug. Studies have already proven the efficacy of this drug in the prevention and treatment of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of Pinus pinaster extract (Pycnogenol^®; PPE) in the prevention of hemosiderin deposits in human skin culture submitted to inflammatory stress.
METHODS: Fragments of human skin were stimulated with interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 α) to induce an inflammatory response and, concurrently treated with PPE for further histological evaluation and hemosiderin semi-quantification.
RESULTS: The histological evaluation of skin fragments exposed to IL-1 alpha revealed a 26.6% higher hemosiderin density compared with the control group. Moreover, skin fragments incubated concomitantly with PPE showed significant reductions in hemosiderin deposits when compared with the group only exposed to the inflammatory microenvironment.
CONCLUSIONS: The results presented in this study showed an important effect of PPE (Pycnogenol^®) in the prevention of hemosiderin accumulation caused by inflammatory stress similar to the post-sclerotherapy process.

Keywords: Hemosiderin; Hyperpigmentation; Sclerotherapy

INTRODUCTION: Plant extracts and actives derived from plants were developed to improve and enhance the skin healing process including Triticum aestivum L. (Triticum vulgare).
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of whole grain extract (EGTA-PR) and aqueous extract (EATA-FI) of Triticum aestivum L., on ex vivo skin healing.
METHODS: Skin fragments obtained from elective plastic surgery were subjected to tissue damage and treated with extracts for eight days for histological evaluation of re-epithelialization and immunofluorescence for epidermal growth factor (EGF).
RESULTS: EGTA-PR and EATA-FI accelerated the re-epithelialization process in human skin culture submitted to tissue injury. Additionally, we observed increased EGF protein labeling after treatment with EGTA-PR.
CONCLUSION: EGTA-PR showed a better performance in re-epithelialization when compared to EATA-FI, as it presented a higher protein labeling for EGF in human skin culture. Likewise, the histological results showed that the dermal redensification obtained with EGTA-PR was visually superior to that observed with EATA-FI. The results obtained are promising and corroborate the several biological actions already reported in the literature for Triticum aestivum L. extract in tissue healing stages.

Keywords: Regeneration; Epidermal growth factor; Triticum; In vitro techniques; Wound healing