Evaluation of Burn Healing Properties of Arnebia euchroma and Malva sylvestris

Arnebia euchroma Rolye (Johnst) (Boraginaceae) and Malva sylvestris L. (Malvaceae) are traditionally used to treat various skin disorders, and for antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities. The goat lipid containing roots of Arnebia euchroma is widely used as a remedy for burn wounds in nomadic tribal (Bakhtyari) southwest Iran. We examined the effectiveness of diethyl ether extracts of Arnebia euchroma roots and Malva sylvestris flowers at 200 mg/kg/day dose. Burns were induced in Wistar rats divided into six groups as following; Group-I was treated with cold cream. Groups-II and -III were treated with cold cream containing of two extracts, Group-IV was treated with goat lipid containing of Arnebia euchroma extract (according ethnobotany survey). Group-V was treated with goat lipid. Group-VI received the standard drug (silver sulphadiazine cream). The efficacy of treatment was evaluated based on reduction of burn wound area and histopathological characteristics. The extracts-treated animals showed significant reduction (P < 0.05) in the wound area when compared with other groups. Also, histological studies of the tissue obtained on days 6, 9 and 16 from the extract-treated by goat lipid containing of Arnebia euchroma and Malva sylvestris showed increased well organized bands of collagen, more fibroblasts, and few inflammatory cells. So we concluded that Arnebia euchroma and Malva sylvestris in the form of ointment had a good potential for acceleration of burn wound healing in rats.