Althaea officinalis L. Extract Heals SkinWounds in Second-Degree Burns in Mice

Background: Burns are one of the most common injuries; however, there are few medications to repair burned skin. Although antibacterial drugs such as topical silver sulfadiazine may prevent wound infections, they usually cannot accelerate skin healing. Marshmallow (Althaea oÿcinalis L.) has long been used in Iranian traditional medicine to deal with skin burns. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the e ect of hydroalcoholic and aqueous extract of A. oÿcinalis on the histopatho-logic parameters of second-degree burns in mice. Methods: The mice were randomly divided into nine groups (n = 6), including control and treatment groups. Experimental second-degree burns were induced on the dorsal skin of the mice by a metal plate (2 cm in diameter) under general anesthesia. Control and treatment groups were treated twice a day for 21 days topically. Normal saline was used for the control group, and hydroalcoholic and aqueous extracts of A. oÿcinalis in three concentrations (1%, 2%, and 4%) were used for the treatment groups. All preparations were made in a hydrogel base. Finally, the histopathological parameters of the burned skin, including polymorphonuclear (PMN) migration, epithelialization, angiogenesis, and collagenization, were scored, and the total score of wound healing was calculated. Results: The findings showed that topical application of hydroalcoholic or aqueous extracts of A. oÿcinalis accelerated the wound healing process. They reduced PMN migration, collagenization, epithelialization, and angiogenesis scores compared to the control group. There was a significant di erence between the 4% hydroalcoholic extract group and the normal saline group. Conclusions: Althaea oÿcinalis may have been used as an adjunct medication to accelerate wound healing in skin burns.