Introduction: Rhazya stricta is used traditionally by kerman selimani tribes, to accelerate wound healing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of topical application of water extract of Rhazya stricta on cutaneous wound healing and compare its effect with phenytoin cream.
Materials and Methods: This interventional-experimental study performed on the three groups of adult male rats. After anaesthesia, full thickness skin of upper dorsal part of the rats removed in 3 cm2 area. 24 hours after the operation, wound of each group treated once daily with water extract of R. stricta or phenytoin cream (1%). Control group received no treatment. Wound surface area measured in 0, 4th, 7th, 10th, 13th, and 16th post operative days. The time required for complete healing was also recorded.
Results: The results show that wound surface area in R. stricta group in 10th day (60%) and in 13th day (77%) was lower than control group (P<0.05). Percentage of wound healing in control group in 4th day (20%) and in 7th day (38%) was higher than R. Stricta group (P<0.001). Wound healing percent also in phenytoin group in 7th day(21%) was higher than R. stricta group (P<0.05). Percentage of wound healing in R. stricta group in 10th day (25%) and in 13th day (13%) was higher than control group (P<0.05). The time required for complete healing in R. stricta group was 2.4 day lower than control group (P<0.05). Also water extract of R. stricta had full inhibitory effect on growth of E. coli and partial effect on growth of P. aeroginosa.
Conclusion: These data suggest that topical application of R. stricta can accelerate wound healing after 7th day and this effect was comparable to phenytoin cream. More research is need to determine the mechanism(s) of this action.