Hydrogen Peroxide: A Potential Wound Therapeutic Target

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a topical antiseptic used in wound cleaning which kills pathogens through oxidation burst and local oxygen production. H₂O₂ has been reported to be a reactive biochemical molecule synthesized by various cells that influences biological behavior through multiple mechanisms: alterations of membrane potential, generation of new molecules, and changing intracellular redox balance, which results in activation or inactivation of different signaling transduction pathways. Contrary to the traditional viewpoint that H₂O₂ probably impairs tissue through its high oxidative property, a proper level of H₂O₂ is considered an important requirement for normal wound healing. Although the present clinical use of H₂O₂ is still limited to the elimination of microbial contamination and sometimes hemostasis, better understanding towards the sterilization ability and cell behavior regulatory function of H₂O₂ within wounds will enhance the potential to exogenously augment and manipulate healing.