Effects of Mackerel Scad Collagen Gel on Superficial Non-Infected Wound in Mice

Marine organisms are rich sources of structurally diverse bioactive compounds with various biological activities, making them increasingly important for biomedical applications. This study aims to evaluate the effects of the topical administration of mackerel scad (Decapterus macarellus) fish collagen gel on tissue repair during superficial non-infected wound healing in mice. To make the collagen gel, lyophilized collagen extracted from mackerel skin was incorporated into hydroxypropyl methylcellulose gel at 3% or 5% (w/w) concentrations, and the gel's physical properties were characterized. The collagen gels were applied topically to excision wounds onBALB/c 57 strain mice three times daily at a dose of 300 mg. Assessment of the histological state of the healing wound was done using Hematoxylin-Eosin, Masson’s Trichrome, and VEGF immunohistochemistry staining techniques. The collagen gel exhibited favorable characteristics in terms of viscosity, spreadability, and adhesiveness. Histological examination revealed that the topical application of 5% collagen gel reduced wound diameter by 75%, significantly (p<0.05)higher than the placebo control treatment (42.5%). By day 14, the wound tissue treated with 5% collagen gel exhibited a well-organized re-epithelialization layer and visible arrangement of new collagen fibers in the extracellular matrix. These tissues entered a proliferation and remodeling phase, resembling normal skin tissue characteristics. Furthermore, the expression of VEGF in the wound healing process treated with topical collagen gel was stronger and more widespread compared to the gel without collagen. Overall, these findings suggest that collagen treatment promotes quicker wound recovery and enhances the overall outcome of wound healing processes.