Systemic Safety of Silver Zinc Sulfadiazine with Silk Sericin Cream for Burn Wound Treatment

Silver zinc sulfadiazine cream has been widely used as antibacterial agent for the treatment of burn wounds. However, it has no effect in promoting wound healing. Recently, silk sericin, a degumming protein from silk cocoon, was found to promote healing by activate collagen production. Since open wound area can also absorb chemical from topical formulation used during treatment and cause some systemic toxicity, the safety of silver zinc sulfadiazine with silk sericin cream needs to be investigated. Sixteen patients with total of 34 second degree burn wounds were enrolled in this study and divided into two groups. Patients in control group received silver zinc sulfadiazine cream while patients in treatment group received silver zinc sulfadiazine with silk sericin cream for treatment of burn wounds. We found no infection from all wounds in both groups. Moreover, the pain score together with liver and kidney function of patients showed no significant difference between both groups. It can be concluded that silver zinc sulfadiazine with silk sericin cream is safe to use in the treatment of burn wounds.