The use of non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma(CAP)in medicine is promising and presents a new
approach in the treatment of chronic wounds and skin infections.Many CAPs contain considerable amounts of nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide(NO2), which induce acidification and nitrite/nitrate accumulation in treated tissues/liquids. Since many pathological conditions,such as impaired wound healing and microcirculation ,are often related to restricted NO bioavailability , CAP sources may serve as NO delivery systems. Considering the striking similarities between the biological results obtained by CAP and NO treatment , it is quite possible that NO plays a crucial role in CAP -induced effects.
In order to clarify possible connections,this paper will give a short introduction to NO physiology,as well as an overview of the literature concerning NO-based treatments and CAP with a focus on decontamination, and skin and wound healing