Comparative evaluation of propolis and Persea americana creams for epidermal wound healing in rats

Abstract Wound healing is a complex biological process that benefits greatly from effective topical treatments. This study compares the healing potential of two natural formulations: propolis cream and Persea americana cream. Twelve albino rats were divided into four groups: a negative control group with no injury, a positive control group with injury but no treatment, a group treated with propolis cream post-injury, and a group treated with the Persea americana cream post-injury, with three rats in each group. All wounds were sterilized daily using Betadine. The experiment lasted for 15 days. Results indicated that the Persea americana cream demonstrated superior therapeutic effects compared to the propolis cream. Blood samples were collected to assess the systemic influence of the treatments on the wound healing process, under appropriate preservation conditions. Skin specimens were then taken for histopathological examination using Hematoxylin & Eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining to observe biochemical changes in wound tissues relative to healthy skin. Additionally, GC/MS analysis was conducted to identify and compare the bioactive compounds present in both creams. The analysis revealed that the Persea americana cream contained a higher concentration of bioactive compounds, which likely contributed to the enhanced healing observed. Overall, the formulations were designed to utilize the bioactive components to accelerate wound repair effectively.