The Role of Pectin Hydrogel Systems Plus Iodine and Phyto Extract in Second-Degree Burn in Rats

Skin injuries, such as burns, can result in an open wound that can lead to the deterioration of the skin, which acts as a protective barrier against external agents, and can cause serious health problems. Pectin, a plant-derived polysaccharide, is a suitable candidate for wound care due to its gel-forming ability and biocompatibility. Pectin absorbs wound exudates to form a soft gel and is known for its strong anti-inflammatory efects. Pectin-based hydrogel systems promote wound healing by promoting fibroblast proliferation and keratinocyte migration. In the study, 60 male Wistar albino rats were used, and 6 diferent treatment groups were formed: Healthy control, burn control, silver sulfadiazine, pectin-based hydrogel system, pectin-based hydrogel system+iodine, pectin-based hydrogel system+plant extract. Rats with burn wounds were treated for 21 days, and the wound healing process was evaluated by macroscopic, biochemical, and histopathological analysis. The results showed that the pectin-based hydrogel system, iodine, and plant extracts promoted healing in burn wounds. Especially in the groups treated with silver sulfadiazine and plant extracts, the development of granulation tissue and regeneration of collagen fibers showed significant improvement. Furthermore, the pectin-based hydrogel system is thought to contribute to wound healing by maintaining skin moisturization. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) levels decreased in the treatment groups compared to the burn group, and it was determined that these factors play an important role in wound healing. This study shows that pectin-based hydrogel systems can be an efective alternative in burn treatment, and their healing efects can be enhanced by the addition of iodine and plant extracts.