In-vivo assessment of wound healing activity of halibut oil cream in rat model of excision wound

This study explores the effects of halibut oil cream on different phases of wound healing and assess its potential as a supplement for promoting wound healing in rats. The study randomly assigned five groups of male wistar rats to receive different treatments: a vehicle-control group (water-soluble cream base), a positive-control group (Povidone-iodine ointment, PI-5%), and three halibut oil cream formulation (HBOF) treatment groups with strengths of 3, 9, and 27%. An excision wound model was used to induce injury and daily as well as terminal wound healing indices such as wound area contraction, relative wound area percentage, inflammatory and proliferative phases, oxidative stress, and cytokine levels were recorded. Compared to the vehicle control group, both the PI-5% and HBOF treatment groups significantly promoted wound healing. They demonstrated reduced wound size and oxidative stress in regenerated skin tissue. Histopathological examination revealed a marked increase in collagen production, and analysis of cytokine levels indicated enhanced efficacy. These effects can be attributed to the high hydroxyproline content of halibut oil. The findings of this study suggest that topically applying halibut oil cream may serve as a useful supplement for promoting wound healing in rats. The omega-3 fatty acids and other components present such as vitamin A and D in the cream formulation demonstrated beneficial effects on wound size reduction, oxidative stress reduction, collagen production, and cytokine efficacy.

Graphical abstract

Graphical Abstract depicting the experimental procedure for studying wound healing. Albino Wistar rats were utilized to create a 500 mm² wound, with varying concentrations of HBOF applied topically from day (D) 1 to 15. The control group received treatment with a water-soluble cream base, while the standard group was treated with Povidone Iodine 5%. On day 16, the skin surrounding the wounds of all animals was carefully dissected, and biochemical, cytokine level, and histopathological evaluations were performed on the skin specimens. Throughout the study, measurements were taken for body weight, the inflammatory phase (D1-5), the proliferative phase (D5-15), and wound area contraction (D1-15).