Scientists investigating the reputed healing properties of a naturally occurring protein in cow's milk may have discovered a more affordable alternative to silver – and a viable option in managing acute surgical wounds.
The team at University College London found that wound dressings infused with casein enhances the healing process in rats, outperforming the control groups.
The results could pave the way for more cost-effective wound care.
This study marks the first time that the effects of casein have been tested on an animal model.
According to first author, Dr Jubair Ahmed, from UCL's Mechanical Engineering, ‘natural materials contain some wonderful properties’.
Casein makes up to 80% of milk. In recent decades, interest has grown in its antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
A waste product from skimmed dairy milk, if approved for humans it would be a relatively cheap material that could be produced at scale.
Nevertheless, harnessing its full potential for clinical use demands deeper understanding and overcoming certain challenges – with further studies needed to ensure its safety and efficacy in clinical settings.
One challenge to address is the variable chemical composition and potency of natural substances, which requires achieving consistency for reliable and effective treatments.
The research involved mixing pure casein with polycaprolactone (PCL), a biodegradable polyester commonly used in bandage materials.
The resulting casein-infused bandages showed exceptional healing properties in the rat wound model.
The team found that at 14 days, the wounds treated with casein-infused bandages healed to 5.2% of their original size, compared to 31.1% in the normal bandage group and 45.6% in the untreated group.
Analysis confirmed that the casein bandages were non-toxic, and immune-related molecules around the treated wounds were significantly lower than other groups.
Professor Mohan Edirisinghe (UCL Mechanical Engineering), senior author of the study, said: ‘All the research so far suggests that casein has wound healing potential, but at the moment we don’t really know why in any great detail. Casein has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which may certainly play a part. The next step will be to understand the biological interactions taking place before we can consider clinical trials in humans.’
Published in Interface and made possible by EPSRC grants for research into pressurised gyration manufacturing, this research holds great promise for revolutionising wound care and healing practices worldwide.
Casein is taken in powder form as a high-protein dietary supplement – particularly among fitness enthusiasts. Its ability to promote muscle growth and aid recovery after exercise has been well-documented.
