A Comparative Study of the Healing Effects of Calendula and Astragalus fasciculifolius Aqueous Resin Extract on Rabbit Skin Wounds

In ancient Iranian medical texts such as “QANUN of AVICENNA” different herbal compounds has suggested. In this study, the healing effects of Calendula are compared with Astragalus fasciculifolius Aqueous Resin Extract (AfARE), histopathologically. 15 adult rabbits (randomly divided into three groups) were selected and a round wound was created with almost 1cm diagonal in diameter on the skin of their backs. Total treatment period was specified as 3, 7, 14 and 28 days. The evaluation was on the basis of wound construction, granulation formation and secondary infection occurrence and grading of these factors was marked by I, II and III. First and second groups were respectively treated with (AfARE) and Calendula topical ointment and third group (control g.) received no treatment. In the first group, treatment process was satisfying from beginning to the end of the period and specially had better development at the beginning in comparison with other groups. In the second group, wound healing process was slow in first week, even in comparison with third group. But it was accelerated afterwards. So, it can be concluded that AfARE has very good healing effects from beginning to the end of the treatment period. But regarding to the previous studies of author on Calendula topical ointment, the best time of its use, is in fibroplasia stage of wound healing process. Finally, healing process compared between the first and the second groups had almost the same results, qualitatively and quantitatively.