The Effects of Lucilia Sericata Larvae and Eisenia Fetida Earthworm Extracts Either Alone or in Combination on Healing Third-degree Burns in Male Mice

Introduction: Burn is one of the most common injuries that disrupt the protective function of the skin and induces complications in patients with burns. Therefore, the treatment of these patients presents a significant clinical challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Lucilia sericata (L. sericata) larvae and Eisnia fetida (E. fetida) earthworm extracts, alone or in combination, on the healing of third-degree burns in male mice.Materials and Methods: In this experiment, a third-degree burn model was created on the skin of the interscapular region using consistent pressure. Then, the extracts of larvae and earthworms were topically applied separately or simultaneously every other day for a period of ۲۱ days. To evaluate the process of wound healing, macroscopic parameters were monitored and examined during the study period. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed, and skin sampling was performed for histological investigations.Results: The results of the study showed that both larvae and earthworm extracts accelerated the wound-healing process (P < ۰.۰۱). The group receiving earthworm extract had better wound healing than the groups receiving Vaseline and Silver sulfadiazine, and histological evidence also confirmed these observations. However, the using of two extracts simultaneously did not affect the wound-healing process.Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrated that the extracts of L. sericata larvae and E. fetida, the earthworm, especially E. fetida, include effective compounds that can significantly enhance the rate of burn wound healing. However, more studies are needed to identify and purify the effective compounds of these extracts involved in the process of wound healing.