Evaluating the Effectiveness of Aqueous Extract of Persian Oak (Quercus castaneifolia C.A.Mey.) Fruit Hull on Dermal Wound Healing in the Rat Model

Abstract

Background: Persian oak (Quercus castaneifolia C.A.Mey) belongs to the Fagaceae family. This plant is commonly used in Iranian traditional medicine to treat inflammatory and gastric ulcers. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of Persian oak fruit aqueous hull extract on wound healing in rats. Methods: Thirty-five male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups, then two full-thickness wounds of 10 mm in diameter were created bilaterally on the back of the animals. The negative control group received saline, the positive control group was treated with phenytoin cream, and three treatment groups received 2%, 4%, and 8% Jaft aqueous extract. The animals received these medicines once daily for 15 days. The percentage of wound healing was evaluated using wound contraction ratio, re-epithelialization, tensile strength, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) content. Histopathological examination was performed on repaired tissues. Results: In the 2%, 4%, and 8% Jaft extract and the phenytoin groups, the wound closure rate was significantly higher than in the saline group. The treatment groups revealed significant healing improvement (P < 0.05) compared to the control group in wound contraction, tensile strength, epithelialization duration, VEGF, and PDGF plasma level. Histopathological investigations also exhibited development in wound healing with Jaft extract. Conclusions: This study shows that the Persian oak fruit hull aqueous extract was effective in wound healing in animal models. Clinical trials are required to prove the efficacy of Q. castaneifolia fruit hull spray in healing various wounds in humans.