ABSTRACT
Hydrogen peroxide [H[2]O[2]] is a topical antiseptic used in wound cleaning which kills pathogens through oxidation burst and local oxygen production. [H[2]O[2]] 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 [H[2]O[2]] probably impairs tissue through its high oxidative property, a proper level of [H[2]O[2]] is considered an important requirement for normal wound healing. Although the present clinical use of [H[2]O[2]] is still limited to the elimination of microbial contamination and sometimes hemostasis, better understanding towards the sterilization ability and cell behavior regulatory function of [H[2]O[2]] within wounds will enhance the potential to exogenously augment and manipulate healing