Abstract
Introduction. This study compared the healing efficacy and possible adverse effects of topical Alpha and medical-grade honey ointments on cutaneous wounds in rats. Methods. To conduct the study, 22 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into two equal groups: (1) rats with Alpha ointment applied to the wound surface area and (2) rats with medical-grade honey ointment applied to their wounds. The ointments were applied daily during the 21-day study period. Wound contraction was examined photographically with images taken on days 0, 7, and 21 after wounding. The healing process was histopathologically assessed using skin biopsies taken from the wound sites on days 7 and 21. Results. No statistically significant difference in mean wound surface area was observed between the two study groups. According to histopathological assessment, a significant reduction in the amount of collagen deposition (P value: 0.007) and neovascularisation (P value: 0.002) was seen in the Alpha-treated rats on day 21. No tissue necrosis occurred following the application of Alpha ointment. Conclusion. Daily topical usage of Alpha ointment on a skin wound can negatively affect the healing process by inhibiting neovascularization. Topical Alpha ointment can reduce the possibility of excessive scar formation by reducing collagen deposition.
Highlights
This study compared the healing efficacy and possible adverse effects of topical Alpha and medical-grade honey ointments on cutaneous wounds in rats
It has been claimed that Alpha ointment is beneficial in improving wound healing [4]
As we see in our daily clinical practice, Alpha ointment is one of the prescriptions commonly used for the management of lower extremity chronic wounds, diabetic ulcers
Summary
This study compared the healing efficacy and possible adverse effects of topical Alpha and medical-grade honey ointments on cutaneous wounds in rats. Especially chronic ones, are a major health concern affecting a large number of patients and causing a considerable reduction in their health-related quality of life [1, 2] For this reason, research on wound healing agents is currently an attractive and developing field in biomedical sciences [2, 3]. The use of plant materials has been a common medical practice since early times, especially in eastern countries; even various wound care products contain herbal ingredients [2, 3] One such herbal medicine presently available in Iran and claimed to improve wound healing is Alpha ointment [4, 5].
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