Arnebia euchroma Root Ointment for Pressure Ulcer Healing: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Although various therapies are available for pressure ulcers, no single treatment has demonstrated superior effectiveness compared to others. Arnebia euchroma exhibits anti-inflammatory properties that facilitate the healing of surgical wounds and burns. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of A. euchroma root ointment for the treatment of pressure ulcers. Methods: This double-blind randomized controlled trial included 20 patients with Stage I–III pressure ulcers from nursing homes and medical facilities in Sari, Mazandaran, Iran, in 2020-2021. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: Patients in the intervention group received Arnebia euchroma root 5% ointment, while those in the control group received silver sulfadiazine 1%. The primary outcome was improvement in the diameter and depth of the ulcer. Secondary outcomes were changed in the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) and side effects. Outcomes were assessed before intervention and then at one, two, three, and 4 weeks. Results: Patients in both groups were comparable in terms of age, sex, nutritional disorders, use of antibedsore mattress, disease duration, underlying diseases, pressure ulcer stage, and pain, as well as baseline ulcer diameter, depth, and PUSH score. After 4 weeks, the ulcer depth was significantly lower in the intervention group than that in the control group (p < 0.001, standardized mean difference [SMD] = −2.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.58; −1.23). Ulcer depth and diameter differences at other time points were not statistically significant. Mean PUSH scores did not differ significantly between groups at any time point. No side effects were observed in any of the patients. Conclusions: A. euchroma root ointment can significantly reduce pressure ulcer depth after 4 weeks of application, with no significant effects on ulcer diameter and PUSH score. A. euchroma root ointment appears to be a safe treatment for pressure ulcers. These results need to be confirmed in larger randomized controlled trials. Trial Registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT): IRCT20170818035762N4.