Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Search in posts
Search in pages
Filter by Categories
15th National Conference of the IAOMFP, Chennai, 2006
Abstract
Abstracts from current literature
Acne in India: Guidelines for management - IAA Consensus Document
Addendum
Announcement
Art & Psychiatry
Article
Articles
Association Activities
Association Notes
Award Article
Book Review
Brief Report
Case Analysis
Case Letter
Case Letters
Case Notes
Case Report
Case Reports
Clinical and Laboratory Investigations
Clinical Article
Clinical Studies
Clinical Study
Commentary
Conference Oration
Conference Summary
Continuing Medical Education
Correspondence
Corrigendum
Cosmetic Dermatology
Cosmetology
Current Best Evidence
Current Issue
Current View
Derma Quest
Dermato Surgery
Dermatopathology
Dermatosurgery Specials
Dispensing Pearl
Do you know?
Drug Dialogues
e-IJDVL
Editor Speaks
Editorial
Editorial Remarks
Editorial Report
Editorial Report - 2007
Editorial report for 2004-2005
Errata
Erratum
Focus
Fourth All India Conference Programme
From Our Book Shelf
From the Desk of Chief Editor
General
Get Set for Net
Get set for the net
Guest Article
Guest Editorial
History
How I Manage?
IADVL Announcement
IADVL Announcements
IJDVL Awards
IJDVL AWARDS 2015
IJDVL Awards 2018
IJDVL Awards 2019
IJDVL Awards 2020
IJDVL International Awards 2018
Images in Clinical Practice
Images in Dermatology
In Memorium
Inaugural Address
Index
Knowledge From World Contemporaries
Leprosy Section
Letter in Response to Previous Publication
Letter to Editor
Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor - Case Letter
Letter to the Editor - Letter in Response to Published Article
LETTER TO THE EDITOR - LETTERS IN RESPONSE TO PUBLISHED ARTICLES
Letter to the Editor - Observation Letter
Letter to the Editor - Study Letter
Letter to the Editor - Therapy Letter
Letter to the Editor: Articles in Response to Previously Published Articles
Letters in Response to Previous Publication
Letters to the Editor
Letters to the Editor - Letter in Response to Previously Published Articles
Letters to the Editor: Case Letters
Letters to the Editor: Letters in Response to Previously Published Articles
Media and news
Medicolegal Window
Messages
Miscellaneous Letter
Musings
Net Case
Net case report
Net Image
Net Images
Net Letter
Net Quiz
Net Study
New Preparations
News
News & Views
Obituary
Observation Letter
Observation Letters
Oration
Original Article
ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION
Original Contributions
Pattern of Skin Diseases
Pearls
Pediatric Dermatology
Pediatric Rounds
Perspective
Presedential Address
Presidential Address
Presidents Remarks
Quiz
Recommendations
Regret
Report
Report of chief editor
Report of Hon : Treasurer IADVL
Report of Hon. General Secretary IADVL
Research Methdology
Research Methodology
Resident page
Resident's Page
Resident’s Page
Residents' Corner
Residents' Corner
Residents' Page
Retraction
Review
Review Article
Review Articles
Reviewers 2022
Revision Corner
Self Assessment Programme
SEMINAR
Seminar: Chronic Arsenicosis in India
Seminar: HIV Infection
Short Communication
Short Communications
Short Report
Snippets
Special Article
Specialty Interface
Studies
Study Letter
Study Letters
Supplement-Photoprotection
Supplement-Psoriasis
Symposium - Contact Dermatitis
Symposium - Lasers
Symposium - Pediatric Dermatoses
Symposium - Psoriasis
Symposium - Vesicobullous Disorders
SYMPOSIUM - VITILIGO
Symposium Aesthetic Surgery
Symposium Dermatopathology
Symposium-Hair Disorders
Symposium-Nails Part I
Symposium-Nails-Part II
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses
Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis
Tables
Technology
Therapeutic Guideline-IADVL
Therapeutic Guidelines
Therapeutic Guidelines - IADVL
Therapeutics
Therapy
Therapy Letter
Therapy Letters
View Point
Viewpoint
What’s new in Dermatology
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Search in posts
Search in pages
Filter by Categories
15th National Conference of the IAOMFP, Chennai, 2006
Abstract
Abstracts from current literature
Acne in India: Guidelines for management - IAA Consensus Document
Addendum
Announcement
Art & Psychiatry
Article
Articles
Association Activities
Association Notes
Award Article
Book Review
Brief Report
Case Analysis
Case Letter
Case Letters
Case Notes
Case Report
Case Reports
Clinical and Laboratory Investigations
Clinical Article
Clinical Studies
Clinical Study
Commentary
Conference Oration
Conference Summary
Continuing Medical Education
Correspondence
Corrigendum
Cosmetic Dermatology
Cosmetology
Current Best Evidence
Current Issue
Current View
Derma Quest
Dermato Surgery
Dermatopathology
Dermatosurgery Specials
Dispensing Pearl
Do you know?
Drug Dialogues
e-IJDVL
Editor Speaks
Editorial
Editorial Remarks
Editorial Report
Editorial Report - 2007
Editorial report for 2004-2005
Errata
Erratum
Focus
Fourth All India Conference Programme
From Our Book Shelf
From the Desk of Chief Editor
General
Get Set for Net
Get set for the net
Guest Article
Guest Editorial
History
How I Manage?
IADVL Announcement
IADVL Announcements
IJDVL Awards
IJDVL AWARDS 2015
IJDVL Awards 2018
IJDVL Awards 2019
IJDVL Awards 2020
IJDVL International Awards 2018
Images in Clinical Practice
Images in Dermatology
In Memorium
Inaugural Address
Index
Knowledge From World Contemporaries
Leprosy Section
Letter in Response to Previous Publication
Letter to Editor
Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor - Case Letter
Letter to the Editor - Letter in Response to Published Article
LETTER TO THE EDITOR - LETTERS IN RESPONSE TO PUBLISHED ARTICLES
Letter to the Editor - Observation Letter
Letter to the Editor - Study Letter
Letter to the Editor - Therapy Letter
Letter to the Editor: Articles in Response to Previously Published Articles
Letters in Response to Previous Publication
Letters to the Editor
Letters to the Editor - Letter in Response to Previously Published Articles
Letters to the Editor: Case Letters
Letters to the Editor: Letters in Response to Previously Published Articles
Media and news
Medicolegal Window
Messages
Miscellaneous Letter
Musings
Net Case
Net case report
Net Image
Net Images
Net Letter
Net Quiz
Net Study
New Preparations
News
News & Views
Obituary
Observation Letter
Observation Letters
Oration
Original Article
ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION
Original Contributions
Pattern of Skin Diseases
Pearls
Pediatric Dermatology
Pediatric Rounds
Perspective
Presedential Address
Presidential Address
Presidents Remarks
Quiz
Recommendations
Regret
Report
Report of chief editor
Report of Hon : Treasurer IADVL
Report of Hon. General Secretary IADVL
Research Methdology
Research Methodology
Resident page
Resident's Page
Resident’s Page
Residents' Corner
Residents' Corner
Residents' Page
Retraction
Review
Review Article
Review Articles
Reviewers 2022
Revision Corner
Self Assessment Programme
SEMINAR
Seminar: Chronic Arsenicosis in India
Seminar: HIV Infection
Short Communication
Short Communications
Short Report
Snippets
Special Article
Specialty Interface
Studies
Study Letter
Study Letters
Supplement-Photoprotection
Supplement-Psoriasis
Symposium - Contact Dermatitis
Symposium - Lasers
Symposium - Pediatric Dermatoses
Symposium - Psoriasis
Symposium - Vesicobullous Disorders
SYMPOSIUM - VITILIGO
Symposium Aesthetic Surgery
Symposium Dermatopathology
Symposium-Hair Disorders
Symposium-Nails Part I
Symposium-Nails-Part II
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses
Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis
Tables
Technology
Therapeutic Guideline-IADVL
Therapeutic Guidelines
Therapeutic Guidelines - IADVL
Therapeutics
Therapy
Therapy Letter
Therapy Letters
View Point
Viewpoint
What’s new in Dermatology
View/Download PDF

Translate this page into:

Letter to the Editor
2010:76:4;415-417
doi: 10.4103/0378-6323.66589
PMID: 20657129

Moist exposed burn ointment: Role of alternative therapy in the management of partial-thickness burns

Sanjay Saraf
 Department of Plastic Surgery, NMC Specialty Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Correspondence Address:
Sanjay Saraf
Department of Plastic Surgery, NMC Specialty Hospital, Dubai
United Arab Emirates
How to cite this article:
Saraf S. Moist exposed burn ointment: Role of alternative therapy in the management of partial-thickness burns. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2010;76:415-417
Copyright: (C)2010 Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology

Sir,

Burn injury is a global problem that equally concerns under-developed, developing and developed countries. Even after so many advances in burns′ care the selection of the most appropriate dressing material for burns is still elusive. The use of silver sulphadiazine for treating burns has remained the standard treatment of partial-thickness burn wounds for more than four decades. The adverse effects include painful dressing changes, local skin reaction, hypersensitivity reactions and occasionally self-limiting leucopenia.

An alternative therapy for treating the burn was developed at the China National Science and Technology Center in Beijing in 1989 in the form of a herbal remedy, moist exposed burn ointment (MEBO), and was claimed to be an ideal burn wound dressing option for burns. [1],[2] Subsequently, many studies proposed MEBO as a good alternative for treating burns [Figure - 1] and [Figure - 2]. MEBO is claimed to shorten wound healing time, reduce bacterial colonization, reduce the need for analgesics, antibiotics and results in aesthetically superior wound healing.

MEBO is an oil-based ointment containing sesame oil, beta-sitosterol, berberine, and other small quantities of plant ingredients. [1],[2] In addition, MEBO includes in its formula 18 amino acids, four major fatty acids, vitamins, and polysaccharides. The beta-sitosterol, main ingredient of MEBO has shown anti-inflammatory effects, another ingredient berberine has demonstrated antimicrobial effects.

Many studies substantiated the claim that it promotes epithelial repair, inhibits bacterial growth, has analgesic effects, leads to reduction of water evaporation from burn wound surface, and provides the optimum physiological environment for healing and results in improved scar formation. [3],[4],[5],[6],[7],[8],[9],[10],[11],[12]th

A study comparing the efficacy of MEBO to silver sulphadiazine in partial-thickness facial burns found comparable rate of wound healing but the ease of dressing and healing progression assessment was more in patients treated by MEBO. [3] MEBO, because of hyperosmolar medium has also been claimed to prevent bacterial growth. It seems to change the biological behavior of bacteria, decreases the bacterial toxicity and invasive capacity, increases the bacterial sensitivity to antibiotics and enhances both the local and systemic immunity. [4] A retrospective pilot study by Numairy et al., using MEBO for open wounds in wide variety of surgical conditions including burns, sunburn, pressure sore, diabetic ulcers, skin graft donor site, surgical traumatic wounds including laser and chemical peels, found MEBO to be a cost-effective, simple and safe modality producing consistently good functional and aesthetic results. [5] A study by Ang et al., in 2001, evaluating the role of alternative therapy in burn wound management found MEBO to be as effective as conventional management. MEBO imparted a greater analgesic effect in the first five days of therapy, eased the management of face and neck burns, facilitated early institution of occupational therapy in hand burns and reduced hospital costs by 8%. [6] A multicenter pilot study by Atiyeh et al., in 2002 on the efficacy MEBO in the management of cutaneous wounds and ulcers found rapid reduction in ulcer size along with maintaining the wound in a relatively clean and socially acceptable condition without leading to the emergence of resistant bacterial strains. [7]

A study comparing benefit-cost analysis of MEBO with other topical preparations utilized for local burn wound treatment found reduction in hospital stay, decrease in average time spent by the treating physicians, requirement of less analgesics and significant decrease in treatment cost with MEBO. [8] A randomized, controlled study comparing pain control in MEBO versus conventional methods in patients with partial-thickness burns found greater pain relief during the first week after burns with MEBO. [9] In three consecutively conducted clinical studies, Atiyeh et al., found that the MEBO exhibited a beneficial prophylactic effect on primary and secondary wound healing with scar quality superior in wounds treated with MEBO. [10] In a prospective comparative study comparing healing of MEBO with conventional occlusive dressings, the biologic healing with MEBO, as determined by trans epidermal water loss (TEWL) measurements occurred at an extremely significant earlier stage and was associated with better scar quality. [11] A randomized mono-center German study comparing the efficacy of MEBO with conventional therapy in partial-thickness burns < 20% total body surface area (TBSA) found MEBO an attractive alternative for the topical treatment of limited partial-thickness thermal burns. [12]

With the use of MEBO, four major difficulties in burn treatment are claimed to be overcome: the control of pain and infection, the decrease of scar formation and the prevention of progressive necrosis of burn tissues. However, more controlled clinical trials are still needed to explore the full action of MEBO and investigate its role at the cellular level of wound healing.

References
1.
Xu RX. A great historical turn in the burn medical science. Chinese J Burns Wounds Surf Ulcers 1989;1:62.
[Google Scholar]
2.
Xu RX. Moist exposed burn therapy (MEBT). Textbook for technological training. Beijing Guangming Chinese Medicine Institute for Burns. Beijing: Wounds and Ulcers; 1989a. p. 160-8.
[Google Scholar]
3.
Ang ES, Lee ST, Gan CS, See P, Chan YH, Ng LH, et al. The role of alternative therapy in the management of partial thickness burns of the face--experience with the use of moist exposed burn ointment (MEBO) compared with silver sulphadiazine. Ann Acad Med Singapore 2000;29:7-10.
[Google Scholar]
4.
Iovanovich J, Tsati E, Tsoutsos D, Frangia K, Papalois A. Moist exposed burn therapy: Evaluation of the epithelial repair process (an experimental model). Ann Burns Fire Disast 2000;13:3-9.
[Google Scholar]
5.
Ali Al-Numairy. Clinical use of MEBO in wounds management in U.A.E. Int J Cosm Surg Aesthet Dermatol 2000;2:27-33.
[Google Scholar]
6.
Ang ES, Lee ST, Gan CS, See PG, Chan YH, Ng LH, et al. Evaluating the role of alternative therapy in burn wound management: Randomized trial comparing moist exposed burn ointment with conventional methods in the management of patients with second-degree burns. MedGenMed 2001;3:3.
[Google Scholar]
7.
Atiyeh BS, Ioannovich J, Magliacani G, Masellis M, Costagliola M, Dham R, et al. Efficacy of moist exposed burn ointment in the management of cutaneous wounds and ulcers: A multicenter pilot study. Ann Plast Surg 2002;48:226-7.
[Google Scholar]
8.
Atiyeh BS, Dham R, Kadry M, Abdallah AF, Al-Oteify M, Fathi O, et al. Benefit-cost analysis of moist exposed burn ointment. Burns 2002;28:659-63.
[Google Scholar]
9.
Ang E, Lee ST, Gan CS, Chan YH, Cheung YB, Machin D. Pain control in a randomized, controlled, clinical trial comparing moist exposed burn ointment and conventional methods in Patients with partial-thickness burns. J Burn Care Rehabil 2003;24:289-96.
[Google Scholar]
10.
Atiyeh BS, Amm CA, El Musa KA. Improved scar quality following primary and secondary healing of cutaneous wounds. Aesthetic Plast Surg 2003;27:411-7.
[Google Scholar]
11.
Atiyeh BS, El-Musa KA, Dham R. Scar quality and physiologic barrier function restoration after moist and moist-exposed dressings of partial-thickness wounds. Dermatol Surg 2003;29:14-20.
[Google Scholar]
12.
Hirsch T, Ashkar W, Schumacher O, Steinstraesser L, Ingianni G, Cedidi CC. Moist Exposed Burn Ointment (MEBO) in partial thickness burns - a randomized, comparative open mono-center study on the efficacy of dermaheal (MEBO) ointment on thermal 2 nd degree burns compared to conventional therapy. Eur J Med Res 2008;13:505-10.
[Google Scholar]

Fulltext Views
17,349

PDF downloads
1,946
Show Sections