Effects of Astragalus fasciculifolius gum on wound healing in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Introduction: Recently it has been shown that Astragalus fasciculifolius may be an effective remedy in the treatment of diabetes and wound healing. Current study was designed to examine the effects of topical administration of A. fasciculifolius (common name: sarcocolla) cream on treatment of wounds in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: A circle deep wound having ۱۵-mm diameter was created on the back of ۳۲ streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Thirty-two wounds were evaluated in four groups of animals (n = ۸). The animals in first and second groups were treated using distilled water and petrolatum for ۲۰ days, respectively. The third and fourth groups were treated using sarcocolla cream ۵% and ۱۰% for ۲۰ days, respectively. The evaluation was performed in all groups on days ۱, ۳, ۵, ۷, ۱۰, ۱۴, ۱۷ and ۲۰. Results: The sarcocolla cream ۵% and sarcocolla cream ۱۰% exerted significant healing effects on diabetic rat wounds (P<۰.۰۰۱) compared to the control groups under treatment of petrolatum or distilled water. The sarcocolla cream had favorable effects on the wound healing ratio especially during long-term (۱۴ days), with no difference at concentrations of sarcocolla ۵% and ۱۰%. Conclusion: Sarcocolla (topical) therapy is possibly a useful approach for wound healing in diabetic rats. More investigations are needed to elucidate the possible protective mechanisms and safety.