Topical co-administration of flaxseed and pistachio ointment promoted wound healing; evidence for histopathological features

Abstract

This study was conducted to compare the traditional prescriptions of flaxseed and Pistacia atlantica oil in wound healing in rabbit. Eighty white New Zealand rabbits randomly allocated to five experimental groups (n = 16). Two full-thickness skin excisional wounds were created on the thoracolumbar region on each side of the dorsal midline in each rabbit. Group 1 was considered as control. Group 2 rabbits received nitrofurazone ointment (0.2 %, w/w). Group 3 animals were treated with P. atlantica hull (2 %) ointment. In group 4, rabbits received flaxseed ointment (2 %), and group 5 was treated with combination of flaxseed (2 %) + P. atlantica hull (2 %) ointment. Animals were anesthetized, and the skin of specimens were taken in 3, 7, 14, and 21 days postoperative. Tissue samples were dissected out and quantity of cellular infiltration (polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells, new vessels, and fibroblast formation) and angiogenesis were estimated. Also, the wound-healing area (mm2) was evaluated in 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 days postoperative. According to the result, flaxseed and pistachio oil ointment significantly decreased polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cell distribution on day 3 postoperative (P < 0.05). Also, co-administration of flaxseed + pistachio oil significantly improved new vessel formation compared to other groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, flaxseed and pistachio improved subsequent fibroblast distribution in injured rabbit (P < 0.05). Moreover, rabbits, which received the combination of flaxseed + pistachio, had better wound healing compared to control group (P < 0.05). Our data suggested that co-administration of the pistachio and flaxseed promoted the healing process by shortening inflammation phase, elevating cellularity, and promoting collagen synthesis.