Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most prevalent postoperative complications, with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the past half century, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), the administration of 100% oxygen intermittently under a certain pressure, has been used as either a primary or alternative therapy for the management or treatment of chronic wounds and infections. This narrative review aims to gather information and evidence supporting the role of HBOT in the treatment of SSIs. We followed the Scale for the Quality Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA) guidelines and scrutinized the most relevant studies identified in Medline (via PubMed), Scopus, and Web of Science. Our review indicated that HBOT can result in rapid healing and epithelialization of various wounds and has potential beneficial effects in the treatment of SSIs or other similar infections following cardiac, neuromuscular scoliosis, coronary artery bypass, and urogenital surgeries. Moreover, it was a safe therapeutic procedure in most cases. The mechanisms related to the antimicrobial activity of HBOT include direct bactericidal effects through the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the immunomodulatory effect of HBOT that increase the antimicrobial effects of the immune system, and the synergistic effects of HBOT with antibiotics. We emphasized the essential need for further studies, especially randomized clinical trials and longitudinal studies, to better standardize HBOT procedures as well as to determine its full benefits and possible side effects.

Malvidin (MV), an essential anthocyanin, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that may help treat pulmonary fibrosis (PF), a progressive and occasionally fatal condition characterized by severe lung scarring, oxidative stress, and inflammation. This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic potential of MV in PF by assessing its effects on inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrotic markers through in vitro and in vivo models. The compound was evaluated by molecular docking. BEAS-2B and RLE-6TN cells were treated with 200 µg/mL BLM to induce inflammation, followed by MV treatment. Cell viability, ROS levels, and wound healing were analyzed. In vivo, BLM-induced mice were evaluated to assess fibrotic and antioxidant biomarkers. MV interacted with NLRP3 with a binding energy of -7 kcal/mol. MV increased cell viability in BLM-induced cells, reducing ROS and oxidative stress. Wound healing was enhanced in MV-treated groups. A decrease in HYP proteins confirms MV’s antifibrotic effects. In the mice model, MV reduced TXNIP, MDA, and MPO while increasing CAT, GSH, and SOD, confirming its antioxidant capacity. MV alleviated PF in the BLM-induced model via the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, demonstrating its potential as an antifibrotic and antioxidant agent.