Evaluation of Combined Herbal Extract Dressing Materials Effect on Open Wounds in Pig Model
Natthacha Vamvanij MD*, Apirag Chuangsuwanich MD*, Phingphon Charoonrut DVM*, Pornsuk Cheunsuchon MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
Background : There are many herbal extracts available in Thailand claimed to be effective in wound healing and scar
prevention. But very few wound dressing products are made from these ingredients. So this study evaluates the effectiveness
of the combination of herbal extract dressing materials in animal models.
Objective : To compare the rate of wound size reduction and histological evaluation of 5 groups of dressing materials.
Material and Method: A porcine full-thickness wound model was used to compare 5 groups of dressing materials: normal
saline (control), lipidocolloid (standard), combined herbal extract formula 1 (Allium cepa, Centella asiatica, Aloe vera),
combined herbal extract formula 2 (Centella asiatica, Aloe vera) and placebo. The dressings were applied on full-thickness
wounds on paraspinal region of 5 pigs (20 wounds per pig), 15 wounds per each group of dressing. The wounds were
evaluated for the rate of epithelialization, healing time and histology.
Results : Dressing of combined herbal extract formula 2 showed significance in wound area reduction than the control group
and placebo group in 12th and 15th day post-wounding. Dressing of herbal extract formula 1 showed significant in wound area
reduction than control and placebo group in 15th day post wounding also. The wounds treated by both formulas of combined
herbal extract dressing showed greater reduction in size than standard dressing, but not statistically significant. No dressings
showed any statistical significant differences in the duration of healing time.
Conclusion : The Combined herbal extract dressing materials could provide wound-healing as the standard wound dressing
material. These materials may reduce the cost of wound care in Thailand because the raw materials are available in the
country. Further evaluation is needed in clinical settings before consideration for the treatment of the wounds.
Keywords : Scar, Herbal extract, Wound
