✨ Revisiting Topical Burn Care: Is MEBO a Better Alternative to Silver Sulfadiazine?
Burn injuries remain a significant global health challenge, often requiring prolonged wound care and posing risks of infection, delayed healing, scarring, and surgical intervention. For decades, silver sulfadiazine (SSD) has been widely used as the standard topical therapy for partial-thickness burns. However, growing concerns regarding delayed epithelialization and potential adverse effects have prompted clinicians to explore alternative treatments.
One such alternative is Moist Exposed Burn Ointment (MEBO), a plant-based topical agent originating from traditional Chinese medicine. But how does MEBO truly compare to SSD in terms of clinical effectiveness?
A recent systematic review published in Jurnal Rekonstruksi dan Estetik provides evidence-based answers to this question.
📄 Article Title:
Wound Healing Efficacy of Moist Exposed Burn Ointment (MEBO) and Silver Sulfadiazine in Partial-Thickness Burns: A Systematic Review
🔗 DOI: https://doi.org/10.20473/jre.v10i2.71980
📌 Why This Study Is Important
Topical agents play a crucial role in burn wound management, influencing healing time, infection rates, pain control, and the need for surgical intervention. Despite SSD’s long-standing use, its drawbacks have fueled interest in alternatives that promote faster and more physiological wound healing.
This systematic review synthesizes existing clinical evidence comparing MEBO and SSD, offering clinicians clearer guidance when choosing topical therapy for partial-thickness burns.
🔍 Key Insights from the Systematic Review
🔹 What Is MEBO?
MEBO is a herbal-based topical ointment containing:
Sesame oil – moisture retention and barrier protection
Beta-sitosterol – anti-inflammatory effects
Berberine – antimicrobial properties
Together, these components create an optimal moist wound environment that supports natural epithelial regeneration.
🔹 Evidence from Clinical Trials
Five clinical trials (2000–2008) were included
Databases searched: PubMed, Cochrane, and ScienceDirect
Keywords: MEBO, SSD, burns, wound healing
Across all included studies, MEBO demonstrated comparable or superior outcomes when compared with SSD.
🔹 Improved Wound Healing Outcomes with MEBO
Consistent findings showed that MEBO was associated with:
Shorter wound healing time
Reduced pain intensity
Lower infection rates (negative wound swab cultures)
Minimal slough and crust formation
Fewer complications
Reduced need for surgical intervention
These outcomes highlight MEBO’s ability to promote a more favorable healing environment in partial-thickness burns.
🌱 MEBO as a Natural, Patient-Friendly Alternative
Beyond clinical outcomes, MEBO offers additional advantages:
Plant-based formulation
Better patient comfort
Supports moist wound healing principles
Potentially reduces healthcare burden by minimizing surgical needs
🎯 Clinical Implications
The findings suggest that MEBO is not only an effective alternative but may be a preferable option for managing partial-thickness burn wounds, particularly in settings where optimizing healing time and patient comfort is a priority.
For burn units, plastic surgeons, and wound care specialists, this review supports the integration of MEBO into evidence-based burn management protocols.
📚 Why This Article Is Worth Reading and Citing
Systematic comparison of MEBO and SSD in burn care
Highlights advantages of plant-based topical therapy
Reinforces modern moist wound healing concepts
Useful for clinicians, burn specialists, and researchers
Supports informed clinical decision-making
📚 Published in: Jurnal Rekonstruksi dan Estetik
✍️ Authors: Aditya Wardhana, Nadya Farhana
🏥 Institution: Burn Unit, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia
🔗 Read the full article:
https://doi.org/10.20473/jre.v10i2.71980
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