Effectiveness of Secretome on Accelerating Wound Epithelialization Resulting from Sports Injuries among Athletes at the University of Education (UPI) Bandung: A Pilot Experimental Study
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Superficial wounds are common injuries among athletes due to repetitive and high-intensity physical activity. Epithelialization plays a crucial role in wound healing. Secretome, a stem-cell–derived biological product, contains growth factors, cytokines, and bioactive molecules that support tissue regeneration by promoting cell proliferation, modulating inflammation, and accelerating epithelial tissue formation. With the increasing relevance of regenerative medicine, topical secretome represents a promising intervention for enhancing wound healing. This pilot experimental study employed a quasi-experimental design involving athletes with superficial wounds. Eight participants were enrolled and allocated into two groups: an intervention group receiving topical secretome gel and a control group without secretome application. Wound healing was assessed by measuring changes in wound size, evaluating epithelialization progress, serial photographic documentation, and pain assessment using the Visual Analog Scale. Observations were performed throughout the designated follow-up period. Preliminary findings indicate that topical secretome application may accelerate epithelialization compared with the control group. Early improvements were observed through faster wound-size reduction, enhanced epithelialization quality, and decreased pain complaints. These initial results support the feasibility of the intervention and suggest potential therapeutic benefits of secretome for superficial wound healing in athletes. Topical secretome demonstrates potential in accelerating epithelialization in superficial wounds among athletes. As a pilot study, these findings provide foundational evidence for future large-scale research to further evaluate the effectiveness and safety of stemcell therapy. This study also highlights the potential role of regenerative medicine as an alternative approach to optimizing wound healing.
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