Evaluation of the Healing Effects of Hypericum perforatum and Curcumin on Burn Wounds in Rats

Abstract

Background. For centuries, medicinal plants have been extensively used in wound healing of burn injuries. The aim of this study is to analyze comparatively the effects of curcumin and Hypericum perforatum (HP) on second-degree burn wounds in rats. Materials and Methods. This experimental study was conducted on 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats with second-degree burns. The animals were randomly divided into three groups. The burns were treated with curcumin (Group B) and Hypericum perforatum (Group C) with daily application. Group A was considered as the control group and received no medication. Histological parameters, reepithelization, granulation tissue formation, inflammation, and angiogenesis were assessed after the scar biopsy at the end of research. Results. All histological parameters of the control group showed statistically significant difference than the other groups (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between Groups B and C in terms of reepithelization and inflammation (p=0.351, p=0.067). In the curcumin group compared with the HP group, a significant difference was observed for two parameters of fibrosis and angiogenesis (p<0.05). Conclusion. Both curcumin and Hypericum perforatum oil are effective in burn wound healing. Our findings showed a better quality of healing in curcumin-treated rats.