Concerning the wound-healing properties of Sphagnum holocellulose:: the Maillard reaction in pharmacology

Sphagnum wound dressings can be 3-4 times as aborbent as cotton equivalents, but they also react chemically with proteins of all kinds. This reactivity gives them the potential of immobilizing whole bacterial cells as well as the enzymes, exotoxins, and lysins secreted by the most invasive pathogens. Once immobilized, enzymes and (by inference) exotoxins and lysins are rapidly inactivated by a Maillard reaction. The complex pectin in Sphagnum is structurally similar to known, immunostimulatory pectins from other plants, including some that are traditionally used for wound healing. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.