Effect of medical grade chitosan powder in full thickness skin wound healing in rat model

Abstract

The present study was conducted in 18 wistar rats of either sex divided into two equal groups (n=9) to evaluate the healing potential of medical grade chitosan powder. One 20×20 mm2 full thickness skin wound was created on dorsal region of thorax of adult wistar rats. Topical application of paraffin gauze over the wound acted as control (Group - A). In second group (Group - B) of animals, wounds were treated with sterilized, medical grade chitosan powder. The wounds were evaluated based on clinical and macroscopical parameters. Gross observations and photographic evaluations were also done until the end of the study. Clinical observations, gross observation, exudation, granulation tissue, peripheral swelling and the contraction rate of the wounds were recorded on days 0, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days post surgery at different intervals in both the groups. Early granulation tissue formation with reduced exudation and peripheral swelling was observed in treatment group-B and proved better than that of group - A. The percent of wound contraction was similar to those gross findings, however, in group - B, complete wound healing was observed on day 20-22, but in group-A (control), healing was completed by day 27-28.