Table 4.
Relative lesion area evolution during the DMBA/TPA-induced skin carcinogenesis model in mice.
| Group | Parameter | Experimental Week | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21th | 22th | 23th | 24th | 27th | Δ Average c | ||
| G2 | RLA a | 11.4 ± 6.7 | 13.9 ± 8.1 | 13.1 ± 8.3 | 15.9 ± 8.4 | 19.3 ± 2.8 | - |
| Δ b | - | 2.5 ± 5.3 | 1.7 ± 4.8 | 4.5 ± 12.6 | 8.1 ± 9.4 | 3.2 ± 8.1 | |
| G4 | RLA a | 3.3 ± 3.2 *** | 3.0 ± 2.3 *** | 5.0 ± 4.8 *** | 3.3 ± 1.7 *** | 5.2 ± 1.0 *** | - |
| Δb | - | 0.0 ± 2.0 | 1.8 ± 3.4 | −0.1 ± 2.1 | 2.5 ± 1.6 | 0.9 ± 2.7 | |
Results expressed as mean ± standard deviation (n = 10 animals/group with macroscopic lesions from 17 animals) of relative lesion area in mice (male Balb/c). Parameters: a RLA = Relative lesion area, evaluated by comparing the lesion area to a standard square ruler photographed together with each mouse. Photos analyzed by using ImageJ software; b Δ = difference between RLA at an experimental week and at 21st experimental week (starting treatment); c Δ average = average increasing rate per week. Experimental weeks: S21–S23 = BCM device treatment; S24–S27 = recovering time. Experimental groups: G2 = unloaded BCM device with skin cancer induction; G4 = AgNMS@BCM device with skin cancer induction. Samples: BCM = unloaded bacterial cellulose membrane; AgNMS = nimesulide-silver complex; AgNMS@BCM = bacterial cellulose membrane loaded with AgNMS 1 mg/cm2. Statistical analysis: one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni’s test (*** p < 0.001).