Python fat: effect on collagen levels of human keloid tissue.

Abstract

The present study is aimed at verifying the curative powers of python fat by subjecting it to scientific analysis with a view to showing evidence of its actual effects on keloid tissues, since it has been applied in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Method: In this study, the effect of python fat on collagen levels of human keloid tissue culture was determined. Keloid tissues, surgically removed from 9 patients were incubated with python fat. There was subsequent isolation, purification and quantitative determination of collagen levels after incubation of the keloid tissue in a 48hr conditioned media and with increasing doses of python fat. Result: The result gave a mean collagen concentration (mg/ml) of 91.07, 85.78, and 79.95 respectively. The results also reveal a successive decrease in the means of collagen concentration by 7.48%, 12.85% and 18.77% of their estimated original values and a dosedependent increase in collagenase activity with increasing amount of python fat. Conclusion: The study shows that python fat decreases the collagen concentrations in the keloid tissues by increasing the collagenase activity, and as such can be regarded as a suitable antikeloidal agent for use especially by complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners.