Wound Healing Activities of Gundelia tournefortii L Extract and Milk-Cream Ointment on Second-Degree Burns of Rat Skin

Abstract

Skin burn is a major health problem in the community and seeking new and suitable treatment is suggested. In this regard, traditional remedies were consider in many countries. Regarding clinical application of herbal medicine in the healing of burn wounds, the present study was designed to evaluate the effect of Gundelia (Gundelia tournefortii L) extract with milk-cream on the healing of second-degree burn in a rat model. Thirty-six male Wistar rats (220 ± 30 g) were divided into 3 groups (n = 12), after establishment of second-degree burn: group1, were left without any intervention; group 2, were treated topically with silver sulfadiazine; and group 3, were treated with Gundelia tournefortii L extract composite with milk-cream once a day for 21 days. Macroscopically and histological examinations were conducted on 7, 14, and 21 days of therapy. Data analyses were done using 1-way analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey tests. Macroscopically, evaluation of wounds' sizes on the 14th and 21st days indicated that the wound surface was reduced significantly (P < .001) in group 3 compared with groups 1 and 2. Histological findings also showed that burn healing was significantly improved in group 3 compared with the other groups. Gundelia tournefortii L extract composite with milk-cream has an effective role on healing of second-degree burn in rat skin and it could a complementary and/or alternative medicine in wound healing.

Keywords: Gundelia tournefortii L; milk-cream; rat; second-degree burn; traditional medicine.