The healing effect of Pistacia lentiscus fruit oil on laser burn

Since antiquity, Pistacia lentiscus L. (Anacardiaceae) fruit oil (PLFO) has been used as a remedy for primary health care such as burn treatment.

This study assesses the healing effect of PLFO on CO₂ laser fractional burn in a rat model.

The study was carried out on 18 adult male Wistar rats. A second-degree laser burn (wound area = 2.2 cm²) was inflicted in the dorsal region by the application of CO₂ fractional laser within the following parameters; Energy level: 25 MJ and Depth level: 4. After applying laser, the rats were divided into three groups: the first was treated with saline solution, the second with a reference cream 'CYTOL BASIC^®' (0.13 μg/mm²) and the third with PLFO (0.52 μL/mm²). All treatments were topically administered for eight days. The healing effect was assessed using macroscopic, histological and biochemical parameters.

After eight days, the higher percentage of wound healing contraction was observed among the PLFO-treated group (100%) followed by the 'CYTOL BASIC^®' treated group (61.36%) and untreated group (32.27%). During the treatment, the PLFO-treated group showed less erythema, less crusting/scabbing, higher general wound appearance scores and a high content of collagen (220.67 ± 7.48 mg/g of tissue) than the other groups.

The current study has shown, for the first time, the healing effect of PLFO on CO₂ laser fractional burn. Their wound healing effect could be attributed to their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.