Lucilia sericata defensins and their capacity to stimulate wound regenerative processes. A review of the literature and our own observations

Over the last decade the medical larvae of Lucilia sericata have been claimed to be “miracle therapeutic maggots” due to their manifold biochemical properties that stimulate healing processes in a wound. Isolating chemical substances from maggot excretions and secretions gives greater possibilities to develop research into the use of defensins to stimulate healing processes in wounds of different aetiologies. Current studies focus on isolation, identification, recombination, and production of selected substances.

A critical analysis of literature was done, based on studies published in the years 2000–2022. The authors conducted a review of scientific papers using the PubMed and Termedia databases using the following keywords: defensins, Lucilia sericata, maggot debridement therapy.

Lucilia sericata excretions/secretions have proven antibacterial, antibiofilm, anti-inflammatory, and synergistic properties with specific antibiotics effectiveness. Efforts should be made to increase the level of knowledge and engagement among clinicians to implement and recommend MDT not only for biodebridement, but also to stimulate regenerative processes in a wound.