The healing effect of Pistacia lentiscus fruit oil on laser burn.

CONTEXT: Since antiquity, Pistacia lentiscus L. (Anacardiaceae) fruit oil (PLFO) has been used as a remedy for primary health care such as burn treatment.

OBJECTIVE: This study assesses the healing effect of PLFO on CO2 laser fractional burn in a rat model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out on 18 adult male Wistar rats. A second-degree laser burn (wound area = 2.2 cm2 ) was inflicted in the dorsal region by the application of CO2 fractional laser within the following parameters; Energy level: 25 MJ and Depth level: 4. After applying laser, the rats were divided into three groups: the first was treated with saline solution, the second with a reference cream 'CYTOL BASIC® ' (0.13 μg/mm2 ) and the third with PLFO (0.52 μL/mm2 ). All treatments were topically administered for eight days. The healing effect was assessed using macroscopic, histological and biochemical parameters.

RESULTS: After eight days, the higher percentage of wound healing contraction was observed among the PLFO-treated group (100%) followed by the 'CYTOL BASIC® ' treated group (61.36%) and untreated group (32.27%). During the treatment, the PLFO-treated group showed less erythema, less crusting/scabbing, higher general wound appearance scores and a high content of collagen (220.67 ± 7.48 mg/g of tissue) than the other groups.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The current study has shown, for the first time, the healing effect of PLFO on CO2 laser fractional burn. Their wound healing effect could be attributed to their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.