Effect of aqueous extract of Ferula assa-foetida's resin on wound healing of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

The aqueous extract of Ferula assa-foetida’s resin has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-diabetic effects. The present study was done to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract Ferula assa-foetida’s resin on wound healing in diabetic rats. In this experimental study, 18 Wistar rats were divided into the normal control (1), diabetic control (2) and diabetics treated with aqueous extract of Ferula assa-foetida’s resin groups. In all groups, 4 wounds (4mm) was created in two lateral posterial parts of body. For 2 days, 3 times a day, the experimental group was topical treatment by extract and control group was treated by normal saline. Inflammatory cells, re-epithelization and vascularization were evaluated on the 4th, 8th and 10th day. Average thickness of the epithelium on the fourth and eighth days in group 3 compared with groups 1 and 2 and on the tenth day in group 2 compared with 1 and 3 significantly increased. Density of inflammatory cells on the fourth day in groups 1 and 3 compared with group 2 and on the eighth and tenth days in group 2 compared with groups 1 and 3 significantly increased. Density of blood vessels on the fourth day in groups 1 and 3 compared with group 2 and on the eighth and tenth days in group 2 compared with groups 1 and 3 significantly increased. Aqueous extract of Ferula assa-foetida’s resin has a great influence on the healing of diabetic ulcers by increasing epithelial cell proliferation and blood vessel formation and accelerate the inflammatory process.