Effect of allicin on wound healing: an experimental diabetes model

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of allicin on wound healing in an experimental diabetes model.

In this randomised controlled study, 50 Wistar albino rats (25 females, 25 males) each weighing 200-300g were used. To develop the diabetes model, 30 rats were induced with 50mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ); 20 rats were not induced in order to compare diabetic and nondiabetic rats. The diabetic rats were divided into three groups, according to dressing material used (allicin, physiological serum and control, where no dressing was used), and the nondiabetic rats were divided into two groups (allicin and control, where no dressing was used). The wound area was calculated and recorded on days 0, 7, 14 and 21. In addition, biopsies were taken from the wound area on days 0, 7, 14 and 21 and used for microscopic examination. Day 0 was used as a reference to calculate wound healing percentage.

On days 7 and 14, there were statistically significant differences between groups. Wound surface areas were smaller in the allicin group than in other groups on days 7 and 14. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups on day 21. In addition, it was determined that neutrophil, mononuclear cell, intraepithelial oedema and dermal oedema density were lower and fibroblast, angiogenesis and collagen density were higher in the allicin groups on days 7 and 14.

In this study, allicin was found to be potentially effective on wound healing. Future research should be conducted in order to clarify how it affects wound healing.