Wound healing is a perfectly coordinated cascade of cellular, molecular, and biochemical events which interact in tissue reconstitution. Chronic diseases such as pressure ulcers (PU) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are considered risk factors for wound healing. Patients with such diseases often have higher sepsis, infection, and complication rates, since they have revascularization inhibition and low growth factor expression. Thus, latex biomembrane (LBM), a biocompatible material, derived from the latex of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) appears to create tendencies as an angiogenic-inducing tissue healing agent and as biomaterial, resulting from its structural qualities and its low cost when compared to conventional treatments. Therefore, this work aims at summarizing the results, experiments, and scientific findings that certify or recommend the use of LBM as a new technique to be applied effectively in the treatment of wounds. An integrative review was held in the BIREME, LILACS, Burns, MEDLINE, PubMed, and SciELO databases, from 2000 to 2016, using the following descriptors: “healing,” “diabetes mellitus,” “wounds,” and “latex membrane.” As a result, 600 experiments (out of 612) presented satisfactory results; however, 33% of the cases received explicit recommendations, 11% required more studies on the subjects, and 1% was denied. On the other hand, half of the studies did not expressly endorse its use, despite presenting satisfactory results. The LBM was characterized as a good therapeutic alternative in cases of wounds, including chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus and PU, due to its relevant potential for wound healing stimulation, acceleration of cell tissue mending and revascularization, or the reestablishment of angiogenic functions (creation of new blood vessels). The LBM was also confirmed to be safe as a biocompatible material whose structural qualities (elasticity, adaptability, impermeability, and possibility of suture), devoid of toxicity, allowed interaction between tissues and presented no hypersensitivity inducer and no antimicrobial effect.

Biomaterials interact with biological systems, influencing their responses. Different types of polymers—both natural and synthetic—are widely used in biomedical engineering, among a plethora of healthcare applications, to promote tissue regeneration. The natural rubber latex extracted from Hevea brasiliensis is a biopolymer that whose biocompatibility makes it a valuable study object. Its great regenerative properties are largely associated with the fraction FrHB1, which has demonstrated angiogenic and wound-healing potential by inducing blood vessel formation, collagen synthesis, and fibroblast migration—crucial factors for tissue repair. This study aimed to develop scalable methods for extracting and purifying the F1 protein fraction from industrialized natural latex for biomedical applications. We tested two types of industrial latex, bi-centrifuged and pre-vulcanized latex as well as 60% centrifuged natural latex to determine the most effective composition used in subsequent extractions and fractionation steps. Then, we isolated FrHB1 from the pre-vulcanized latex using selective precipitation, ultrafiltration, and affinity chromatography. The yield of the first batch of this serum was 40.62% with protein concentration of 1.52 ± 0.06 mg/mL. The second batch had a yield of 49.74%; however, due to results lying outside the analytical curve, its protein concentration could not be calculated. The yield of the third batch was 57.19%, and its protein concentration was 1.8477 ± 0.033 mg/mL. This approach facilitates large-scale therapeutic applications utilizing a commercially viable and accessible resource. Moreover, these findings highlight industrialized natural latex as a sustainable source of bioactive molecules, contributing to advancements in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.

Atividades de pesquisa utilizando animais são realizadas desde a antiguidade, o bem-estar do animal não era prioridade. Com a evolução da pesquisa, houve, também, a crescente preocupação com a ética e métodos que poderiam substituir o uso de cobaias animais nos experimentos científicos. Tal conscientização manifestou-se já no início do século XIX, na Inglaterra, com o surgimento de movimentos que se dedicavam a mudar as atitudes do homem em relação aos animais. Desde então, ativistas argumentam que métodos alternativos são capazes de substituir a utilização de animais em pesquisa, e que, por isso, a utilização de seres vivos é considerada como obsoleta. Por outro lado, alguns cientistas argumentam que a experimentação é o que traz frutos das pesquisas. O presente trabalho apresenta um levantamento de dissertações e teses defendidas no Instituto de Biologia da Universidade de Brasília no ano de 2017 que realizaram testes in vitro e in vivo além de trazer uma reflexão sobre o assunto e visa ressaltar as vantagens do uso de métodos alternativos. Para este estudo, foram utilizados artigos e dissertações das bases de dados CAPES e PubMed, bem como outras referências presentes neles. Concluiu-se que, embora não haja tecnologia suficiente para erradicar o uso de animais em experimentos, existem diversos métodos alternativos que não comprometem o estudo realizado. Palavras-chave: Experimentação animal, bioética, bem-estar animal, ética em pesquisa, engenharia biomédic