New Research Shows Wild Blueberries May Help Wounds Close Faster
ORONO, Maine (CBS Local) -- New research by the University of Maine shows that wild blueberries may have wound-healing properties.
The research shows phenolic acids extracted from wild blueberries significantly promote cell migration and the speed of wound closure.
Dorothy Klimis-Zacas, a professor of clinical nutrition at the University of Maine, is working to use these compounds to create a biomedical product prototype like a topical cream that can be applied to wounds, CBS affiliate WABI reported.
Dorothy Klimis-Zacas, UMaine professor of clinical nutrition, discovered wild blueberries have properties that promote cell migration & speed of wound closure. She has been awarded a $25K @mtimaine grant to support further research on these properties.https://t.co/pfl7qEHqDp
— University of Maine (@UMaine) January 28, 2020
Klimis-Zacas says she expects something on the market within three to five years.
She was recently awarded a $25,000 grant from the Maine Technology Institute (MTI) to continue her research, which has potential to contribute to the field of wound healing and skin regeneration, including the treatment of burns and chronic diabetic wounds.
"It can have implications to either chronic wounds or acute wounds. So, chronic wounds would be something like a diabetic individual who eventually over the years, he or she would develop foot ulcers," Klimis-Zacas said. "The acute would be patients with burns, post surgery."