WORLD JOURNAL OF PLASTIC SURGERY

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Background Burn is still a majordevastating condition in emergency medicine departments among both genders and all age groups in all developed and developing countries, leading to physical, psychological scars and economical burden. The present study aimed to determine the healing effect of topical treatment with Arnebia euchroma on second-degree burn wound in rats. Methods Fifty rats were divided into 4 equal groups receiving the ointment base, normal saline (NS), standard 1% silver sulfadiazine (SSD), and 5% and 10% Arnebia euchroma ointments (AEO). The mean of burn area, percentage of wound contraction, histopathological and bacteriological assessments in the injured area were dtermined during the study. Results Average area of wound on the 10th day was 10.2±2.3, 8.4±2.6, 12.4±2.5, 5.9±2.2 and 5.7±2 cm2 for ointment base, NS, 1% SSD, and 5% and 10% AEO, respectively. Wound size was significantly lower in 10% AEO than 1% SSD and control groups on the 10th day post-burn injury. On day 11, the percentage of wound contraction in 5% and 10% AEO was 53.9%±14.7% and 55.9±10.5% which was more than 1% SSD (15.3±10.8%). The collagen fibers were well formed and horizontally-oriented in 5% and 10% AEO groups when compared with other groups. Conclusion Arnebia euchroma ointment was an effective treatment for healing of burn wounds in comparison with SSD and can be regarded as an alternative topical treatment for burn wounds.

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BACKGROUND 
Burn is the most devastating condition in emergency medicine leading to chronic disabilities. This study aimed to compare the effect of Lithospermum officinale, silver sulfadiazine and alpha ointments on healing of burn wounds in rat. 
METHODS 
Ninety-five rats were divided into 5 groups. Group 1 just underwent burn injury, and groups 2-5 received alpha ointment, silver sulfadiazine (SSD), gel base and L. officinale extract, respectively. A hot plate was used for induction of a standard 3rd degree burn wound. Burn wounds were macroscopically and microscopically evaluated on days 7th, 14th and 21th after burn induction.
RESULTS 
A decrease in the number of inflammatory cells was noted when L. officinale and SSD were applied while the most inflammatory response was seen after administration of alpha ointment. The number of macrophages alone decreased after burn injury, while the frequency was the most when L. officinale and alpha ointment were applied. Re-epithelialization, angiogenesis and formation of granulation tissue were the best in relation to L. officinale and alpha ointment while, the worst results belonged to burn injury group and SSD regarding granulation tissue formation. Considering histological assessment, the best results were observed for scoring of inflammation, re-epithelialization, angiogenesis, formation of granulation tissue and number of macrophage when L. officinale and alpha ointment were used after burn injury. 
CONCLUSION 
It can be concluded that topical application of L. officinale as a non-toxic, inexpensive and easy to produce herbal can lead to a rapid epithelialization and wound healing and these findings can be added to the literature on burn wound healing.

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BACKGROUND
Previous studies indicated that both Plantago major and Aloe vera have anti-inflammatory, tissue regeneration, antioxidant, and immune-stimulatory effects. It is assumed that a mixture of these two herbal medicines may provide a potent material in treatment of skin wound injuries. Therefore, in this study we investigated the effects of Plantago major and Aloe vera mixture in the process of wound healing in rat models according to stereological parameters.
METHODS
In an experiential study, 36 male Sprague-Dawley rats (200±20 g) were randomly assigned into three groups (n=12): The control group which received no treatment, gel base treated group, and the 5% Plantago major and 5% Aloe vera mixture gel treated group (PA group). Treatments were done every 24 hrs for 15 days. Wound closure rate, volume densities of the collagen bundles and the vessels, vessel’s length density and mean diameter, and fibroblast populations were estimated using stereological methods.
RESULTS
PA treated group showed faster wound closure rate in comparison with control and gel-base groups (p<0.05). Numerical density of fibroblasts, volume density of collagen bundles, mean diameter, and volume densities of the vessels in PA group were significantly higher than the control and the gel-base treated groups (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
We showed that Plantago major and Aloe vera mixture has the ability to improve wound healing by enhancing fibroblast proliferation, collagen bundle synthesis and re-vascularization in skin injuries.

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Biobrane^TM is a popular biosynthetic semi-permeable skin substitute conventionally applied onto non-excised partial thickness burn wounds to facilitate healing. The use of Biobrane^TM for definitive coverage after excision of partial-thickness thermal burns has not been reported. We highlighted our experience of immediate Biobrane^TM application for definitive coverage of tangentially-excised partial thickness thermal burn wounds in four patients. This technique is safe and efficient, minimizes painful and costly dressing changes, avoids the complications associated with autologous skin grafting, and eliminates the unpredictability of burns wound conversion. We believe this method expands the indications for Biobrane^TM usage, accelerates wound healing, and provides better aesthetic outcomes.

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Wounds may occur during both surgical and non-surgical procedures. The processes of repair and regeneration of injured tissues are important in wound healing.These processes involve an integrated action of cellular events beginning with inflammatory reactions, and then, the proliferation of the granulation tissue (mostly fibroblast cells), and angiogenesis. The final stage includes the remodeling of the collagen fibers which determines the tensile strength. Reduction of the recovery period may facilitate wound repairing and reduce complications such as infection and swelling. To date, many medications such as antibiotics, vitamins, and minerals have been introduced as wound healers. Despite these advances, more investigations are required to find new therapeutic medications for wound healing that have more healing effects, better clinical outcomes, and fewer side effects

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BACKGROUND
Wound healing is a critical clinical concept. We aimed to evaluate the effects of topical Mentha piperita essence on cutaneous wound healing.
METHODS
This randomized controlled trial was conducted in Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran in 2019. Square-shaped 1.5×1.5 cm wounds were made on the neck of 60 male Wistar rats in a sterile condition. Samples were randomly divided into a control group and three experimental groups. Group A treated with M. piperita essence and Vaseline. The second group received the M. piperita essence, and the third group received Vaseline. Histological specimens were obtained in 4^th, 7^th, and 14^th days and were explored for fibroblasts, epithelial cells, inflammatory cells, and vessels. RT-PCR was performed for molecular and gene expression evaluation of TGF-β.
RESULTS
The M. piperita essence increases TGF-β gene expression as an important factor in wound healing. After 14 d, group A, who received M. piperita and Vaseline, had 99.73% of wound healing with the mean wound size of 0.006 cm² while wound healing in the control group was only 52%. Samples treated with M. piperita have 74.58% wound healing following by group treated with Vaseline, which was 67.02% (P<0.05), respectively.
CONCLUSION
The application of the M. piperita essence for wound healing accelerates the process and improves outcomes.

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Background: Burn injury is still the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in burn patients.  We comapred healing effect of Hypericum perforatum, silver sulfadiazine and alpha ointments on burn injuries in rat model.
Methods: Sixty female Sprague-Dawley rats in an animal experimental study were randomly divided to 5 equal groups as H. perforatum, silver sulfadiazine and (SSD), alpha, gel base and the burn injury left untreated. Wounds were assessed macroscopically and histologic after burn injury and on days 7^th, 14^th and 21^st after treatments.
Results: Burn wounds decreased in size on day 7^th in H. perforatum group (P<0.01). Regarding scoring the inflammation, re-epithelialization, angiogenesis, formation of granulation tissue and number of macrophage, the best scores were visible in H. perforatum group, and the worst in the gel base and the burn injury left untreated (P<0.01).
Conclusions: H. perforatum was shown to significantly induce re-epithelialization, angiogenesis and granulation tissue and decrease the inflammation resulting into a healing process in burn wounds. As H. perforatum is inexpensive and an easily available herbal medicine, it can be considered as a therapeutic of choice to ameliorate burn injuries.