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. 2024 Apr-Jun;17(2):131-136.
doi: 10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_104_23.

The effect of topical 0.5% humic acid gel on male rats with skin ulcer

Fatemeh Samiee-Rad  1 , Fatemeh Ghasemi  2 , Ensiyeh Bahadoran  2 , Mohammad Sofiabadi  3 , Zahra Shalbaf  2 , Arman Taherkhani  2 , Nematollah Gheibi  4
Affiliations

The effect of topical 0.5% humic acid gel on male rats with skin ulcer

Fatemeh Samiee-Rad et al. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2024 Apr-Jun.

Abstract

Background: Humic derivatives have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the experimental wound-healing effect of 0.5% humic acid gel.

Materials and methods: A full-thickness skin wound was created on the dorsal side of 24 Sprague Dawley male rats (220-250 g). The animals were then randomly divided into the control, sham, and experimental groups. Skin wounds were bandaged daily using sterile gauze dipped in normal saline, carboxymethylcellulose, and 0.5% humic acid for 21 days. The wound-healing rate was evaluated grossly and histologically at various time intervals post-injury.

Results: Wound-healing percentage was significantly higher in the gel treatment group at all time points (P < 0.05). The mean number of inflammatory cells was significantly lower in the humic acid gel group than in the other groups (P < 0.001). Moreover, the number of new vascular cells and fibroblasts were significantly increased in the humic acid gel compared to the control (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: These data confirmed that 0.5% humic acid gel accelerates wound healing, probably by anti-inflammatory effects, as well as by promoting vascular and fibroblast proliferation. Therefore, the humic acid gel may be used to improve wound care.

Keywords: Healing; humic acid; inflammatory cells; rat; wound.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The percentage of healing in the groups at days 1, 7, 14, and 21 posttreatment (n = 8 rats/group). ** Significant change in comparison with control group P < 0.01
Figure 2
Figure 2
(A–L): Gross evaluation of wounds healing in all three groups at days 1, 7, 14, 21 post-treatmen. Wound area, control group (A, D, G, J), sham group (B, E, H, K) and humic acid group (C, F, I, L) at days 1, 7, 14, 21 posttreatment, respectively
Figure 3
Figure 3
(A–I) Histomorphologic results of wound healing in all three groups. The infiltration of inflammatory cells, fibroblast proliferation, and angiogenesis in the control (A, D, G), the sham (B, E, H) and the humic acid (C, F, I) at days 7, 14, and 21 posttreatment, respectively. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, 400× and 100× (I)
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