Histomorphometric study on the effect of pine tree gum on wound healing of Wistar rats

Background & Aim: The most therapeutic properties of different species of Pinus class are antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory characteristics, soothing effect, resolver of skin itches, wound, acne and rash healer and improvement of ulcers and chronic lesions. In ancient medical literature of Iran, different parts of Pinus classes, particularly its resin, had been used for treating the chronic lesions. This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of resin extract of Pinus eldarica on skin wound healing process in rats. Experimental: In this research, ointment was prepared with 40% of Pinus eldarica resin. Then, 24 Wistar rats divided into 4 groups of 6 rats including resin recipient group (experimental group), positive control group (topical phenytoin), negative control group (Eucerin group) and the control group which received no treatment. After anesthesia, a 2 × 2 cm lesion was created on the lumbar area of the rats. After wounding, ointments plastering was conducted until 21 days after incision. Results & Discussion: On day 3, 7, 21 after incision, morphological and histological characteristics of the wounds were examined. Statistical analysis of results showed that on different days, wound surface was meaningfully decreased (p<0.05) and the effect of phenytoin and pine tree resin on wound healing was equal without significant differences (p<0.05). On the other hand, reducing the wound surface in all three experimented group were greater than the control group. Histopathologically, in resin recipient group, the collagen fiber arrangements were in the best condition and the inflammatory cells were in their lowest numbers maybe because of the effect on fibroblasts. Therefore, preparation and plastering of pine tree resin are recommended for flesh wounds. Industrial/ Practical recommendations: Considering the positive effects of pine resin on wound healing, it can be used in the preparation of burning ointments.