Investigation of acute effects of topical Alpinia officinarum (galangal) treatment in experimental contact type burns and comparison with topical silver sulfadiazine treatment

Abstract

Background: It was aimed to determine whether Alpinia officinarum (AO) (galangal), which has been regarded to be effective on wound healing, is healing on experimental contact type burns and compare its effects with silver sulfadiazine (SSD).

Methods: Thirty-five rats were divided into five groups of seven rats each group. Superficial second degree burns were formed by contacting a 1×1 cm copper tip which was kept at 100°C constant temperature to the three shaved areas on the back of rats without applying any pressure for 10 s. All groups were irrigated with a 100 cc saline solution for 2 min. Any procedure or treatment was not applied to Group I (Control). Group II (Burn Control) was only irrigated, Group III (SSD) was applied topical SSD 4 times, with 6-h intervals (at h 0, 6, 12 and 18), Group IV (Galangal) was applied topical AO 4 times, and Group V (Gel) was applied placebo topical material, used for the preparation of topical AO, 4 times. Wound healing findings were evaluated histopathologically.

Results: In the galangal group, it was found that collagen discoloration didn't penetrate into deep dermis compared to other groups; epidermis, hair follicles, and sebaceous glands remained protected compared to the burn control group, and there was a thicker layer of epidermis. It was found that the galangal group was the closest group to the control group histologically. In the galangal group, it was determined that the number of vessels and total hair follicles were significantly higher in the 8th h and 4th h respectively (p<0.05), while epidermal thickness and number of degenerated hair follicles were significantly higher in all hours compared to other three groups (p<0.05). It was determined that galangal group had the lowest scores in the evaluation of edema, polymorphonuclear leukocytes infiltration, collagen discoloration, injury of vessels, hair follicles and sebaceous glands in comparisons between groups and within groups' own processes.

Conclusion: Administrating AO containing gel 4 times a day within the first 24 h is effective in the experimental contact type second degree burn model. It is significantly superior to SSD treatment, especially in the first 8 h of administration.

Figure 1

Spectrum of active substances in galangal extract used in the study by high-performance liquid chromatography method (A) Galangin, (B) 3-O-methyl galangin.

Figure 2

(a-e) 4 h, all groups biopsies (H and E staining). Blue arrow indicates epidermal layer, black arrow indicates dermal collagens,while red arrow indicates gl. sebacea and hair follicle (Magnification scale ×10=500 μm).

Figure 3

(a-e) 4 h, all groups biopsies (Mallory-Azan staining). Blue arrow indicates epidermal layer, black arrow indicates dermal collagens, while red arrow indicates gl. sebacea (Magnification scale ×10=500 μm, (a): ×20=250 μm).

Figure 4

(a-e) 8 h, all groups biopsies (H and E staining). Blue arrow indicates epidermal layer, black arrow indicates dermal collagens, while red arrow indicates gl. sebacea and hair follicle (Magnification scale ×10=500 μm).

Figure 5

(a-e) 8 h, all groups biopsies (Mallory-Azan staining). Blue arrow indicates epidermal layer, black arrow indicates dermal collagens (Magnification scale ×10=500 μm).

Figure 6

(a-e) 24 h, all groups biopsies (H and E staining). Blue arrow indicates epidermal layer, black arrow indicates dermal collagens, while red arrow indicates gl. sebacea and hair follicle (Magnification scale ×10=500 μm).

Figure 7

(a-e) 24 h, all groups biopsies (Mallory-Azan staining). Blue arrow indicates epidermal layer, black arrow indicates dermal collagens, while red arrow indicates gl. sebacea (Magnification scale ×10=500 μm).

Figure 8

Epidermal thickness measurements of all groups by biopsy hours.

Figure 9

Number of vessels of all groups by biopsy hours.

Figure 10

Number of degeneratedhair follicles of all groups by biopsy hours.

Figure 11

Total number of hair follicles of all groups by biopsy hours.

Figure 12

Histopathological scoring of all groups by biopsy hours.