The Effects of Nanoemulsion Cream Containing Lavender Essential Oil and Licorice Extract on Healing of Deep Skin Wound in Rats

Despite the very good medicinal properties of lavender essential oil and licorice extract, some factors, such as allergic reaction and being biodegradable, limit the application of them as candidates for pharmacotherapeutic treatments. Nano-emulsification is one of the ways to overcome these limitations. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of nanoemulsion cream containing lavender essential oil and licorice extract on healing of deep skin wound in rat model. In this experimental study, nanoemulsion cream containing lavender essential oil and licorice extract was made using self-emulsifying method. To investigate its effect on wound healing process, a full-thickness skin wound was produced on 85 male Wistar rats. The wound area was digitally photographed at 2nd, 5th, 7th, 10th, and 14th days after surgery using a digital camera; then, the area was quantified using an image analysis system (Image J). Moreover, the expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1), type I collagen (Col I), and Col III genes was evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) at days 2, 7, and 14. Findings: Nanoemulsion cream significantly decreased the surface area of the wounds faster than lavender essential oil and licorice extract cream (P < 0.010) and phenytoin (P < 0.050). Moreover, real-time PCR showed that topical treatment of wounds with nanomulsion cream increased the expression of TGF-β1, Col I, and Col III genes in rat’s skin (P < 0.01). Nanoemulsion cream containing lavender essential oil and licorice extract exhibits a promising wound healing potential towards excisional wound models in rats.