The Effects of Hypericum Perforatum Extract on Topical Burn Injury: A Comparative Study with Iodine

Aim: We aimed to assess the efficacy of topical Hypericum perforatum (HP) extract and compare with topical iodine in a rat model of thermal skin injury. Material and Methods Wistar-Albino rats were subjected to two separate heat-induced third degree burn injuries on dorsal skin. Control group was left untreated, and treatment groups received either topical iodine or HP. Seven days later injured areas were macroscopically examined, and ulcerations were calculated. Histological indices of wound healing and expression of Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) were analyzed in each animal. Results: Treatment groups had significantly smaller areas of ulceration. We observed 23.94% reduction in iodine (p=0.008) and 42.89% reduction in HP treated rats (p<0.0001). Transforming Growth Factor-β levels were slightly reduced in HP group. Collagenisation and re-epithelization were improved in both treatment groups with significant superiority in HP group. Fibroblast proliferation was better in the same group. It was observed that iodine treatment led to higher rates of necrosis. Conclusions: We state that HP extract might be beneficial for the treatment of topical burn injury.