The combined effect of laser and oral administration of Iranian propolis extract on skin wound healing in male rats

Background: To date, a lot of research has been carried out on the effect of medications and surgical methods on the treatment of wounds, but no ideal achievement has been obtained yet. This study was conducted to investigate the  single and combined effect of laser and propolis on skin wound healing in male rats.

Methods: 40 Wistar male rats (200-250 g) were divided into 4 groups (n= 10). All animals were anesthetized and sterile skin wound was created by surgical scissors.  Control group had no treatment, the second group was treated with laser (10 mW), the third group was treated with oral propolis (100 mg /kg; 3 times /day) and the forth group was treated with both laser and propolis. The wound healing level was measured based on the wound area and urinary hydroxyproline content.

Results: Urinary hydroxyproline content was increased in groups treated with laser, propolis and combined laser and propolis compared to the control group (P<0.01, 0.05 and 0.01, respectively). Also at the end of the treatment period, the wound extent was significantly lower in the laser, propolis, and combined laser and propolis groups than the control (P<0.05, 0.05 and 0.01, respectively). There was no significant difference between treatment groups.

Conclusion: Our results showed that oral administration of propolis or low power laser radiation can increase the wound healing rate.