Wound Healing Accelerated by Protein in Cow’s Milk

A study has found that bandages containing casein, a protein derived from cow’s milk, enhance wound healing in rats, potentially offering an affordable substitute to more costly materials such as silver currently used in wound dressings. While the results are promising, further research is needed to explore the biological interactions involved and to confirm safety and efficacy in humans.

University College London (UCL) researchers led a recent study demonstrating that casein-infused bandages greatly improved wound healing in rats compared to control groups. This research, recently published in the Interface journal, is the initial experimental evaluation of casein’s acclaimed healing properties using an animal model.

The findings are promising, suggesting that casein, an inexpensive and easily accessible substance with antimicrobial properties, could potentially substitute more expensive materials like silver in wound dressings.

Casein is a protein present in mammalian milk and is most concentrated in cow’s milk, accounting for up to 80% of its composition. In the past decade, casein’s antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory characteristics have sparked interest, as well as its use as a protein-rich dietary supplement.

In this investigation, UCL researchers combined pure casein with polycaprolactone (PCL), a biodegradable polyester typically used in bandage fabrication. Using a process called pressurized gyration, which was invented at UCL in 2013, they spun this blend into bandage-like fibers to create casein-infused bandages. More costly manufacturing methods, such as electrospinning, wouldn’t have been feasible.

Three groups of rats, each with identical small skin punctures, were established. The first group’s wounds were dressed with casein-infused bandages, the second with standard PCL bandages, and the third was left untreated.

The researchers monitored the healing process by photographing, measuring, and microscopically examining the wounds after three, seven, 10, and 14 days.

On day 14, the team noted that wounds treated with casein-infused bandages had reduced to 5.2% of their initial size, compared to 31.1% in the regular bandage group and 45.6% in the untreated group.

Further analysis revealed that the casein bandages were non-toxic, and the wounds treated with them showed significantly lower levels of immune-related molecules.

Dr. Jubair Ahmed, the study’s first author from UCL Mechanical Engineering, stated: “We were aware of the reputed healing benefits of casein and our findings imply it holds great potential for medical uses like wound dressings. Although more research is required to ensure the safety and efficacy of casein dressings in humans, the initial results are encouraging.”

As casein is a by-product of skimmed dairy milk, it could provide an inexpensive and scalable material for treatment in humans if approved. However, natural substances like casein can have variable chemical compositions and potencies, which will need to be addressed if it is to be clinically used, where treatment consistency is vital.

Professor Mohan Edirisinghe, the study’s senior author from UCL Mechanical Engineering, said: “Current research suggests that casein holds potential for wound healing, but we still lack detailed understanding as to why. Casein’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties may play a role. The next phase of research is to comprehend the biological interactions at play before we can consider human clinical trials.”

This research was enabled by EPSRC grants intended for research into pressurized gyration manufacturing.

Reference: “Casein fibres for wound healing” by Jubair Ahmed, Ece Guler, Gul Sinemcan Ozcan, Muhammet Emin Cam, Shervanthi Homer-Vanniasinkam and Mohan Edirisinghe, 26 July 2023, Interface.
DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0166

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More about Casein-infused bandages

• University College London
• Interface Journal
• EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council)
• Information on Casein
• Polycaprolactone Material
• Pressurized Gyration