Priority of 5% Quince Seed Cream Versus 1% Phenytoin Cream in the Healing of Skin Ulcers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Previous reports have shown that quince seed might have some healing effects on skin ulcers in rabbits. Objectives: To assess the potential healing effect of quince seed cream on human skin ulcers. Patients and Methods: The present study was a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. Fifty patients with skin ulcer caused by disposable biopsy punch 5 mm were allocated in two groups (25 in each) to receive either 5% quince seed cream or 1% phenytoin cream. Skin ulcers were evaluated before and during the study (on the 3rd, 7th, and 14th days), based on the size of ulcers. Results: There was no significant difference in ulcer size between the two groups, before the treatment (P = 0.79). The ulcer size was diminished in the quince seed group, in comparison with the phenytoin group, on the 3rd, 7th, and 14th days after the treatment. After two weeks of treatment, complete healing was observed in 19 patients (86.4%) of quince seed group and five patients (21.7%) of phenytoin group that was significant (P < 0.001). The most common complication was burning and local hypersensitivity and both were more frequent in the phenytoin group. Conclusions: According to our findings, 5% quince seed cream, compared with 1% phenytoin cream, had several advantages, such as more rapid healing process of skin ulcers, and less complications.