Effect of mesenchymal stem cells versus aloe vera on healing of deep second-degree burn

Burn injuries constitute a major health problem which cause more severe physiological stress than other traumas. Aloe vera has been used in traditional medicine for a long time for burn treatment. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have delivered new approaches to the management of deep burns. The present study assessed the effect of aloe vera versus MSCs on experimentally induced deep second-degree burn.

Sixty adult female albino rats randomized into 6 groups: group I served as negative control, group II received topical aloe vera only, group III were injected intradermally with MSCs, group IV subjected to burn injury, group V received topical aloe vera post burn and group VI were injected intradermally with MSCs post burn. Healing of burn injury was evaluated grossly. Skin specimens were obtained after 14 & 21-days post-burn induction and prepared for histological techniques (H&E and Masson's trichrome stain). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of Sry gene for group VI was done.

After 14 days, groups V&VI showed fully regenerated epidermis with a significant increase in the epidermal thickness and a significant decrease in the optical density of collagen fibers compared to control groups. After 21 days, group V showed less epidermal thickness compared to that of day 14 and nearly normal collagen fibers arrangement. However, group VI showed a significant increase in the epidermal thickness compared to groups V&I and an interwoven collagen fibers arrangement with a significant decrease in the optical density of collagen fibers in comparison to control groups. PCR results of the tested samples revealed that 100% of the recipient rats contain Sry positive gene.

Topical aloe vera promoted burn wound healing faster and better than intradermal injection of MSCs.