Saliva helps heal wounds

A scientist said a compound in human saliva may promote wound healing by increasing blood vessel formation to help treat injuries, according to boldsky.

The researchers examined the effect of saliva peptide histamine-1 on blood vessel formation and this substance is important for wound healing. Histatin-1 promotes blood vessel formation , as well as cell adhesion and movement.

Histatin-1 and saliva have been found to increase blood vessel formation.

Vincent Torres, Associate Professor at the University of Chile (South America), said: "These findings open new ways to better understand biology in the treatment of oral and skin healing."

We believe this study can help design better approaches to improve tissue injuries, Torres said.

The researchers conducted experiments at three levels: endothelial, or vascular, cells in culture, in which chicken embryos made animal models; and saliva samples obtained from healthy people.

Using these three models, histatin-1 and saliva were found to increase blood vessel formation. Researchers are taking the next step in this study by using these molecules to create materials and implants to support wound healing.

The study was published in The FASEB magazine.