The effect of bitter almond oil on open skin wound healing: A tensiometrical study

This research was designed to study the effect of bitter almond oil on the healing of open skin wounds in rats. Thirty female adult rats were randomly divided into experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. Under general anesthesia and sterile conditions, one quadrangular (surface area=22 mm) full thickness skin wound was made on the dorsum of each rat. The day of surgery was considered as day zero. Wounds of experimental group were administered topical application of bitter almond oil daily from day zero. In the control group, wounds remained untreated. Tensile strength (g) of wounds of groups were examined after four days (n=5), seven days (n=5) and fifteen days (n=5). Surface area of wounds was measured at day 0, day 5 and day 8. Data were subjected to student t test. Tensile strength and the rate of wound contraction of experimental group were higher significantly than control group at 3 above mentioned days (P=0.000 and P=0.000) respectively. It is concluded that topical application of bitter almond oil accelerated wound healing process in rats.