Therapeutic compositions for enhanced healing of wounds and scars

Abstract

The subject invention provides topical therapeutic compositions and methods of their use for enhanced healing of wounds, including burns, and scars of the skin. Specifically, in one embodiment, the subject invention provides materials and methods for reducing the healing time of skin wounds and for reducing the appearance of scars. The subject invention utilizes topical compositions comprising microbial growth by-products and, optionally, a topically-acceptable carrier. In specific embodiments, the microbial growth by-products are biosurfactants.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for promoting the healing of a wound or scar, wherein said method comprises applying to the skin of a subject in need of such healing a composition comprising a therapeutically-effective amount of a SLP biosurfactant, a MEL biosurfactant, and a dermatologically-acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , which further comprises applying Aloe vera gel to said area of the subject's skin. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wound is a burn. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising covering the area of skin where the wound or scar exists with a wound dressing that has been impregnated with the composition. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition applied to the subject's skin further comprises a broth resulting from cultivation of a  Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus subtilis  or  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  bacterium. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises an antimicrobial agent. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the composition further comprises glycerin, sodium chloride, carbomer, and water. 
     
     
         8 . A wound dressing comprising a dermatologically-acceptable dressing material that has been impregnated with a composition comprising a therapeutically-effective amount of a SLP biosurfactant and a MEL biosurfactant. 
     
     
         9 . The wound dressing of  claim 8 , wherein the composition with which the wound dressing is impregnated further comprises a broth resulting from cultivation of a  Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus subtilis  or  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  bacterium. 
     
     
         10 . The wound dressing of  claim 8 , wherein the composition with which the wound dressing is impregnated further comprises an antimicrobial agent. 
     
     
         11 . The wound dressing of  claim 10 , wherein the composition with which the wound dressing is impregnated further comprises glycerin, sodium chloride, carbomer, and water.