The effects of virgin coconut oil on diabetic wound healing

Abstract

Delayed wound healing, especially diabetic ulcer, is considered as one of the major complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is a natural oil which is traditionally used to treat wounds and burns. It possesses potent antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The aim of this study was to observe the effects of topical application of VCO on wound healing of diabetes-induced Sprague-Dawley rats. A total of 72 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups i.e. (i) Non-diabetic non-treated [NN], (ii) Diabetic non-treated [DN] (iii) Diabetic treated with VCO [VCO], and (iv) Diabetic treated with silver sulfadiazine cream [SS]. Wounds were inflicted on all groups using punch biopsy needles followed by topical treatment for 14 days. Wound closure rate (WCR) was measured on day 5, 10 and 14. Histological analysis of wound tissue was performed on day 7 and 14 using H&E and Masson’s Trichrome staining methods. A semi-quantitative scale according to the percent area of stained collagen was used to evaluate the collagen content (0 = less than 10%, 1+ = 10–25%, 2+ = 25–50%, 3+ = 50–75%, 4+ = more than 75%). Total protein content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were measured in wound tissue on day 1, 7, and 14. WCR on day 5, 10, and 14 was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the VCO group compared to DN group. Histological analysis on day 7 and 14 showed increased collagen (3+) content with intact epidermis in the VCO group compared to low collagen (1+ to 2+) content with damaged epidermis in both DN and SS groups. In the VCO group, total protein content was significantly higher (P<0.05) on day 7 and 14 compared to both DN and SS groups. However, VCO showed insignificant effect on SOD levels. In conclusion, VCO possessed significant wound healing properties via promoting re-epithelialization and increase in WCR, collagen, and total protein content. The results pave the way for future treatment of diabetic wounds with VCO.