Comparative Study between Plant Extracts “Lithospermum erythrorhizon” Dressings and Standard Moist Wound Dressings in Management of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Abstract Background DFU is a common complication of DM that has shown an increasing trend over previous decades. In total, it is estimated that 15% of patients with diabetes will suffer from DFU during their lifetime. Objective To compare wound outcome, limb salvage, healing time of diabetes related foot ulcers. and cost effectiveness in terms of usage of hospital resources and numbers and easiness of dressings between Lithospermum erythrorhizon dressings and standard moist wound therapy (SMWT) in management of diabetic foot ulcers. Patients and Methods This is a prospective observational study involving 34 patients with active diabetic foot ulcers, in a high-volume tertiary referral vascular center. They were divided into 2 groups: 17 patients (group A) were prescribed SMWD and the other 17 patients (group B) received Lithospermum erythrorhizon wound dressing. Study Period: 6 months from September 2022 to March 2023. Results Analyzing the results of our study, we suggest that Lithospermum erythrorhizon wound dressing has a definitive role in promotion of proliferation of granulation tissue, reduction in the wound size, and rapid clearing of bacterial load. Our data demonstrates that Lithospermum erythrorhizon wound dressings decrease the wound depth more effectively than saline gauze dressings over the first 8 weeks of therapy. It is suggested that Lithospermum erythrorhizon wound dressing is a cost-effective, easy to use and patient- friendly method of treating diabetic foot ulcers which helps in early closure of wounds, preventing complications and hence promising a better outcome. Conclusion Application of Lithospermum erythrorhizon wound dressing over wound bed increases the effectiveness of local circulation, which assists in the proliferation of granulation tissue and epithelialization. We have also found that the patients on Lithospermum erythrorhizon wound dressing therapy had earlier complete granulation.