Topical Noneuphoric Phytocannabinoid Elixir 14 Reduces Inflammation and Mitigates Burn Progression

Abstract

Introduction: Thermal injuries are caused by exposure to a wide variety of agents including heat, electricity, radiation, chemicals, and friction. Early intervention can decrease injury severity by preventing excess inflammation and mitigating burn wound progression for improved healing outcomes. Previous studies have demonstrated that cannabinoids can trigger anti-inflammatory responses and promote wound closure. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether a topical application of Noneuphoric Phytocannabinoid Elixir 14 (NEPE14) containing a full complement of phytocannabinoids (< 0.3% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or cannabidiol) and other phytochemicals would mitigate burn wound progression in the treatment of deep partial-thickness burn wounds.

Methods: Deep partial-thickness burns were created on the dorsum of four anesthetized pigs and treated with NEPE14, Vehicle control, Silverlon, or gauze. The burns were assessed on postburn days 4, 7, and 14. Assessments consisted of digital photographs, Laser-Speckle imagery (blood perfusion), MolecuLight imagery (qualitative bacterial load), and biopsies for histology and immunohistochemistry (interleukin six and tumor necrosis factor-α).

Results: Topical treatment with NEPE14 significantly (P < 0.001) decreased inflammation (interleukin six and tumor necrosis factor-α) in comparison to control groups. It was also demonstrated that the reduction in inflammation led to mitigation of burn wound progression. In terms of wound healing and presence of bacteria, no statistically significant differences were observed.

Conclusions: Topical treatment of deep partial-thickness burns with NEPE14 decreased wound inflammation and mitigated burn wound progression in comparison to control treatments.

Keywords: Burn progression; Burns; Inflammation; Phytocannabinoids; Topical treatment; Wound healing.