The effect povidone-iodine on the wound healing process: A study on fibroblast populated collagen lattice (FPCL) model

Povidone-iodine (PI) 10% solution is an effective antiseptic. However, it appears to be toxic to the cells involved in wound healing. The aim of this study is to evaluate the toxicity of PI on cultured human fibroblast using fibroblast populated collagen lattice (FPCL) model. The cultured human fibroblast was divided into 6 groups i.e. 5 groups were exposed by PI 1, 0.1, 0.01, 0.001 and 0.0001%, and 1 group was exposed by phosphate-buffered-saline (PBS). Twenty-four hours later, the media was washed using PBS. The size of the FPCL media on each group was observed over time by serial photographs, which then were measured by Image-J computer program. Exposure of 0.1, 0.01, 0.001 and 0.0001 PI caused an obvious reduction of fibroblast’s contraction capability on FPCL media, which described temporary fibroblast injury, that showing a concentration-dependent recovery phenomenon after 48th hour. Furthermore, 1% PI exposure leads to a permanent fibroblast injury. In conclusion, PI exposure in concentration more than 0.1% has a permanent toxic effect on fibroblast that clearly observed using a simple FPCL model