Comparison of local rosmarinic acid and topical dexpanthenol applications on wound healing in a rat experimental wound model

Background: The aim of the study was to compare the effects of rosmarinic acid and dexpanthenol in a rat experimental wound model. Materials and methods: Twenty-four Wistar albino rats weighing 200–250 g were randomly divided into three groups. After 2-cm full-thickness skin defects were created, the wounds were washed with sterile 0.9% NaCl solution. After washing, the control group was left untreated, the second group received 5% dexpanthenol cream, and the third group received 10% rosmarinic acid cream. Before excision, the skin was evaluated macroscopically by measuring the reduction in wound size; after excision, histological examination (epithelisation, inflammation, fibrosis, granulation) was performed. Results: Macroscopic comparison of the wound sizes showed that group 3 showed a statistically significant difference in wound size reduction compared to the other two groups. Histopathological examination showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. We found that the rosmarinic acid group had greater wound size reduction than the other two groups. However, epithelialisation was detected in fewer cases. Conclusions: We believe that rosmarinic acid can be used as a topical cream for wound healing, as it leads to significant reduction in wound size, resulting in fewer scars.