Abstract

The potential role of omega-3 (ω-3) and omega-6 (ω-6) fatty acids on wound healing in chronic diabetic diseases is of interest and controversial. In this experimental study, the effect of topical application of fish and corn oils containing ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids on skin wound healing in chronic diabetic rat has been evaluated. Rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 7). First group was served as normal or control group. In diabetic groups, one group was non-treated group (shame group) and two groups received fish and corn oil (FO-group and CO-group), respectively. The last diabetic group was treated with both fish and corn oil (FCO-group). Treatment was done from 4 weeks after the induction of diabetes till complete wound healing. All animals were wounded by a 2 cm² incision in their dorsum. Wound surface area and required time for full healing were measured at various post-operated periods. The histological characteristics were studied by using hematoxilin and Eosin (H & E) method. Our results showed that surface area of wound in FCO-group was lesser than that non-treated group at 11th, 15th and 20th post-operative days significantly. Moreover the percentage of the wound healing in FCO-treated and non-treated groups was 98 and 70% at the 20th day, respectively. Histological studies showed that epidermal growth, cellular diffusion, density of collagen in FCO-group approximately were the same as control group. Topical application of fish and corn oil together may result in an acceleration of skin wound healing in chronic diabetic rats.

Key words: Fish oil, corn oil, wound healing, chronic diabetes.

Abbreviation

ZLE, crude ethanolic extract of leaves; ZLH, n-hexane extract of the leaves;ZFE, crude ethanolic extract of fruits.