HISTOPATHOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF EFFECTS OF CURCUMIN AND ALOE VERA GEL ON CUTANEOUS WOUND HEALING IN ALBINO WISTAR RATS

Background: Healing is a survival process and essential for maintaining normal anatomical structure and function. Curcumin, the primary active compound in turmeric, and aloe vera, possess notable antioxidant and antimicrobial properties which aid in healing. Objective of this study was to investigate the effects of curcumin and aloe vera on cutaneous wound healing. Methods: This experimental study was conducted in Department of Pathology, Isra University, Hyderabad, from January to July 2023. Sixty-four healthy albino Wistar rats weighing 150–250 grams were procured from Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam. A full-thickness open excision-type wound was created and animals were divided into Group A (Control group, petroleum jelly applied to wound), Group B (Turmeric paste was applied on wound), Group C (aloe vera gel applied to wound), and Group D (Turmeric and aloe vera applied to wound). Four animals from each group were sacrificed on day 3, 5, 10, and 14 respectively. An excisional biopsy was taken and sections were examined for histological changes. Results: Markers of cutaneous wound healing such as congested blood vessels, inflammatory cells, number of fibroblasts, and amount of collagen deposition were best seen in Group D (p<0.05). Group D also showed the earliest signs of wound healing (p<0.05). Group A, B, and C showed some changes as congested blood vessels and inflammatory cells with signs of wound healing later. Conclusion: Combination therapy of curcumin and aloe vera exhibits better healing properties than individual therapy with either drug. Pak J Physiol 2024;20(4):13?6  DOI: https://doi.org/10.69656/pjp.v20i4.1652