Abstract
Kefir and its insoluble polysaccharide, kefiran, were both tested for antimicrobial and cicatrizing activities against several bacterial species and Candida albicans using an agar diffusion method. Comparator antimicrobials were also tested. Cicatrizing experiments were carried out on Wistar rats with induced skin lesions and Staphylococcus aureus inoculation, using a topical application of a 70% kefir gel. Both kefir and kefiran showed some activity against all organisms tested; the highest activity was against Streptococcus pyogenes. Cicatrizing experiments using 70% kefir gel had a protective effect on skin connective tissue and 7 days treatment enhanced wound healing compared with 5 mg/kg of neomycin-clostebol emulsion.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Anti-Infective Agents / administration & dosage
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Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology
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Anti-Infective Agents / therapeutic use*
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Anti-Infective Agents, Local / therapeutic use
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Bacteria / drug effects
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Candida albicans / drug effects
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Cicatrix / drug therapy*
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Cultured Milk Products* / metabolism
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Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
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Gels
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Microbial Sensitivity Tests
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Polysaccharides / administration & dosage
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Polysaccharides / pharmacology
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Polysaccharides / therapeutic use*
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Rats
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Rats, Wistar
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae / drug effects
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Staphylococcal Skin Infections / drug therapy*
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Staphylococcal Skin Infections / pathology
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Time Factors
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Wound Infection / drug therapy
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Wound Infection / therapy*
Substances
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Anti-Infective Agents
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Anti-Infective Agents, Local
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Gels
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Polysaccharides
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kefir grain polysaccharide