Efficiency of co-administration of Aloe vera L. gel and hydroethanolic extract of Pistacia atlantica Desf. on the wound healing process of excisional wound in diabetic mice

One of the side effects of diabetes is delay in wound healing process. Thus, the use of effective compounds for fasten the wound healing process is important. The present study was conducted to investigate the combined effects of Aloe vera L. gel and hydroethanolic extract of Pistacia atlantica Desf. hulls on wound healing process in 54 adult mice with type-2 diabetes. A circle full-thickness excisional wound model was created on the back of each mouse by a 6-mm punch biopsy. The mice were divided into three groups including control group, 5% Aloe vera gel (w/w) and a combined of 5% Aloe vera gel + 5% Pistacia atlantica extract (w/w). Wound closure rate was evaluated at 4, 8, 12 and 16 days. Edema, cellular infiltration, revascularization, and collagen deposition were assessed among groups. Wound contraction ratio was significantly higher in the treated groups in comparison to control group (P<0.05). The edema was significantly decreased in the treated groups compared with control group, while fibroblast infiltration, revascularization and collagen deposition were significantly increased in same groups in comparison to control group (P<0.05). The best response was observed in the combined group. Results showed that topical administration of 5% Aloe vera gel + 5% Pistacia atlantica extract, in combined form, accelerated full-thickness excisional wound healing in type 2 diabetic mice by decreasing tissue inflammation and increasing collagen synthesis and re-epithelization and it can be considered as a new drug.