Evaluation of the burn healing properties of five Iranian medicinal plants in diabetic rats

Abstract

Some of the medicinal plants in Iranian traditional medicine (Unani) whose have been used as remedy against edema, burn, wound and for their carminative, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities [1, 2]. For example, Malva sylvestris L. (Malvaceae), Punica granatum L. (Punicaceae), Prunus amygdalus L. (Rosaceae), Arnebia euchroma Rolye (Johnst) (Boraginaceae) and Scrophularia deserti Del. (Scrophulariaceae) used for wound and burn healing by tribal communities in Iran[3]. The ethanol extracts of Malva sylvestris and P. granatum flowers, P. amygdalus leaves, A. euchroma roots and S. deserti were used to evaluate the burn healing activity at 200mg/kg/day dose in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Burns were induced in Wistar rats divided into nine groups as following; Group-1, normal rats were treated with simple ointment base. Group-2, diabetic rats were treated with simple ointment base (control). Groups-3 and -7, diabetic rats were treated with simple ointment base containing of extracts (diabetic animals), Groups 8, diabetic rats were treated with simple ointment base containing of mixed extracts, Group-9, diabetic rats received the standard drug (Silver sulphadiazine). The efficacy of treatment was evaluated based on burn wound area relative and histopathological characteristics. The extract-treated diabetic animals showed significant reduction in the wound area when compared with control. Also, histopathological studies of the tissue obtained on days 9th and 16th from the extract-treated by extracts showed increased well organized bands of collagen, more fibroblasts and few inflammatory cells.