Antioxidant potential of Shorea robusta resin-accelerated cutaneous wound healing in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the development of diabetes complications. It was hypothesized that elimination of reactive oxygen species by the application of herbal extract in the treatment of cutaneous wounds could be an important strategy to improve healing of wounds. The time-dependent and concentration-dependent effects of alcoholic extract of Shorea robusta resin (SRE) were evaluated on cutaneous wound healing in diabetic rats. Open excision wounds of 2x2 cm2 were experimentally created on dorsal region of the diabetic rats. 3, 10 or 30% SRE ointment was applied topically on the wound area twice daily for 19 days, as compared to diabetic control in which only ointment base was applied. Six animals from each group were sacrificed on days 3, 7, 14 and 19 to collect the granulation tissue which was used for the estimation of antioxidant enzyme activity and lipid peroxidation by spectrophotometer. Topical application of SRE markedly decreased the wound size, as compared to that of control group on day 3, 7, 14 and 19 post-wounding. The levels of GSH and activities of SOD and catalase were markedly higher in SRE treated group with concomitant decrease in MDA and NO level on day 3, 7, 14 and 19 as compared to control. The results of this study revealed that SRE treatment caused faster as well as better organized healing of cutaneous wounds in diabetic rats. The quality of the healed tissue was much better than the diabetic control rats. Thus, the SRE has shown great potential in treating wounds in diabetic rats.