Development of a Scar Removal Ointment Containing Natural Active Ingredients

Abstract

Aims: The present study aimed to evaluate the healing effect of five new dermal ointments made with natural ingredients, derived from the Ficus microcarpa fruit, Pulicaria odora L. leaf powder, vaseline, lanolin, and sweet almond oil on thermal burns of New Zealand rabbits.

Background: Many natural ingredients are used as alternatives in topical burn wound treatments. However, the effectiveness of an ointment is primarily assessed on the basis of the healing time. The latter depends on the synergetic effect resulting from the interaction of its different constituents. Hence there is the need to explore different formulations to find the most optimal one.

Objectives: 1/ To evaluate some biochemical compositions, biological properties, and functional quality of F. microcarpa fruit and P. odora L. leaf powder., 2/ To identify the best combination between the F. microcarpa fruit, P. odora L. leaf powder, vaseline, lanolin, and sweet almond oil to obtain an ointment with high healing quality.

Methods: Ten (10) New Zealand rabbits (5 males and 5 females) received two thermal burns caused by a hot cylindrical metal on their backs. Each rabbit was treated immediately thereafter with one of the elaborated ointments and with a commercial skin ointment Madecassol (reference). All the ointments were applied topically every other day until a complete epithelialization takes place. Evaluation of the healing process was based on the healing time and diameter narrowing calculated every seven days.

Results: The obtained results show that all the developed ointments used in the experiments lead to total recovery with fur growth. However, the healing time varies from one formula to another.

Conclusion: The study concludes that the combination of the natural active ingredients used in this study promotes burn wound healing in the rabbit’s model