Effect of Topical Application of Lactobacillus Fermentum and Its Cell-Free Extract on Infected Wound Healing in Wistar Rats

Student: Tobiloba Oyekunle Oyediran (Project, 2025)
Department of Microbiology
Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State

Abstract

Wound infections delay healing and pose major challenges in treatment. This research evaluates the healing effect of Lactobacillus fermentum and its cell-free extract (CFE) on infected wounds in Wistar rats. The probiotic strains demonstrated tolerance to different pH, temperature, and salt levels. Histological results revealed that natural healing showed better tissue recovery compared to the probiotic-treated group, which displayed prolonged inflammation and delayed epithelialization. However, the probiotic-treated wounds showed enhanced collagen I and III deposition and lower fibrinogen levels, indicating potential anti-inflammatory effects. These findings suggest that while L. fermentum influences wound healing mechanisms, further studies are needed to optimize its topical efficacy.

Keywords
Lactobacillus fermentum probiotics cell-free extract wound healing Wistar rats inflammation histology fibroblast antimicrobial activity re-epithelialization collagen deposition.
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