The effects of Achillea talagonica alcoholic extract on cutaneous burn wounds healing in rabbit

Achillea talagonica is a plant which due to its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-oxidant properties have been applied from ancient times for healing of wounds. This study aimed to assess the efficiency of the Achillea talagonica alcoholic extract for burn wounds healing. It was carried out on 10 adult male New Zealand rabbits. After induction of anesthesia, six burn wounds of deep second degree were made on the back of each animal. The wounds were washed with normal saline and covered immediately by 0.5g of one of the following products: Vaseline gel, Silver Sulfonamide 1%, and 5% Achillea talagonica alcoholic extract mixed with Vaseline gel. The treatments were repeated twice daily until complete healing. To measure the wound area, photographs have been taken from the wounds that have been made in the right side of the back on days 0, 3,7,14 and 21 and average of healing percentage was calculated. Tissue samples were taken on the same days from the wounds on the left side of the back. The wound healing was analyzed and scored based on the reconstruction of epithelium, fibroblast maturation and collagen deposition. Results indicated that average of healing percentage and the reconstruction of epithelium in the experimental groups were significantly higher than control in the days of 7 and 14 (p< 0.05). Furthermore, fibroblast maturation and collagen deposition increased in the experimental groups compared to control in the day 7 (p< 0.05). It could be concluded that Achillea talagonica promotes wound contraction and ameliorate wound healing process.