EFFECT OF LEVETIRACETAM ON HEALING OF EXCISION AND BURN WOUND MODELS IN WISTAR RATS

Objective: Levetiracetam (LEV) at lower doses (50 and 100 μg/ml) has demonstrated antioxidant effect as per literature evidence. Hence, the aim of current study was to evaluate the action of LEV on wound healing with regard to its antioxidant properties. Methods: A total of 30 adult rats of both the sexes weighing 150–250 g were randomly divided into five groups of six rats each. Excision and burn models were used. The five groups are as follows: Group 1: Normal saline, Group 2: Povidone-iodine, Group 3: Silver sulfadiazine, Group 4: LEV 50 mg/kg, and Group 5: LEV 100 mg/kg. Group 2 served as a standard control for excision wound model and Group 3 as a standard for burn wound model. LEV was given orally and all other drugs were given topically. The rate of wound contracture and period of epithelization were calculated from the initial wound size for all rats. Results: In both the models, the rats treated with standard drug (povidone-iodine/silver sulfadiazine) and LEV showed faster rates of wound contraction, period of epithelization, and better antioxidant effect as compared to the control and the difference seen was statistically significant (p<0.001). However, the rats treated with povidone-iodine/silver sulfadiazine showed faster rates of wound contraction and period of epithelization as compared to the rats treated with LEV and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of the study show that oral application of LEV enhanced the wound strength and accelerated healing of incision and burn wounds in rats. Further clinical trials can be done to prove the effect of LEV as an agent for wound healing.