Topical Effects of Aloevera and Propolis on Open Wound Healing in Male Rats

Traditionally, the natural ingredients have been used for faster healing of wounds. In this study, the effects of topical application of propolis and aloe vera were studied on the healing of open skin wounds in male rats. 32 male Wistar rats (300 - 350 g) were randomly divided into control and 3 experimental groups. After anesthesia, under sterile conditions round full-thickness wound with a diameter of 2.5 cm were created above the thigh of animals. In experimental groups, treatment of wound was performed with usage of ointment containing approximately 1gram of propolis or aloe vera or both of them, two times per day and continued for 20 days. During this period, the rate of wound healing was assessed by measuring the levels of wound in all groups. Also at the last day, under deep anesthesia, 1 mL of urine samples were taken from the bladder of all animals and its hydroxyproline concentration were measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS software with ANOVA and Dunnett test. Wound healing percentage showed no significant difference between control and experimental groups on 2 to 9 days, but in the 10 to 20 days interval, the treatment groups showed significant differences compared to control(P<0.05). The hydroxyproline content significantly increased in the combined aloe vera and propolis group compared to control (P<0.01).Discussion & The topical use of aloe vera or propolis accelerates healing of full thickness skin wounds and their combination is more effective.