Scientists from The Netherlands found that histatin, a small protein in saliva once believed to only kill bacteria, significantly accelerates wound healing. Researchers used epithelial cells that line the inner cheek, cultured in dishes until the surfaces were completely covered with cells. Then they made an artificial wound in the cell layer in each dish by scratching a small piece of the cells away. In one dish, cells were bathed in an isotonic fluid without any additions. In the other dish, cells were bathed in human saliva. Sixteen hours later, scientists noticed that the saliva treated wound was nearly completely healed.

In the dish with the untreated wound, a substantial part of the wound was still open. These results proved that human saliva contains a factor that accelerates wound closure of oral cells. Since saliva is a complex liquid with many components, the next step was to identify which component was responsible for wound healing. Using various techniques, the researchers split the saliva into its individual components, tested each in their wound model, and finally determined that histatin was responsible for healing.

This research offers hope to individuals suffering from chronic wounds related to diabetes, traumatic injuries, and burns. The study also directs scientists to begin looking at saliva as a source for new drugs. Since the compound can be mass-produced, it has the potential to become as common as antibiotic creams and rubbing alcohol.

SOURCE: www.fasebj.org.