Humera Sarwara, Tahir Maqboola✉, Shabana Akhtara, Awais Altafa, Ahmed Bilal Waqara, Muhammad Saad Majeedb c, Mariam Iftikharb c, Memoona Zahrad e, Muhammad Atiff g, Faheem Hadih i
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BACKGROUND: Burn injuries pose a significant health challenge, leading to intense physiological stress compared to other types of trauma. Myrtle has been traditionally used for treating various skin ailments, while mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have introduced innovative approaches for burn treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of myrtle compared to MSCs on the healing of deep second-degree burns. METHODS: Fifty adult male albino rats were randomly divided into five groups: Group A served as the control, Group B received an excision burn without treatment, Group C was treated with topical myrtle paste, Group D received an intradermal injection of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and Group E received both topical myrtle paste and intradermal MSC injection. Burn healing was assessed based on visible characteristics over 21 days. At the end of the treatment, skin samples were collected for biochemical analysis, histological examination using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, and VEGF concentration measurement via ELISA. Additionally, PCR analysis was conducted to assess the expression levels of COL1a1, COL3a1, TNF-α, and IL-6, providing insights into collagen production and inflammatory response. RESULTS: Gross evaluation and histopathological analysis indicated that Groups D and E exhibited complete skin regeneration compared to the burn group. VEGF analysis demonstrated enhanced angiogenesis in the treated groups. PCR analysis revealed upregulation of COL1a1 and COL3a1, along with downregulation of TNF-α and IL-6, suggesting reduced inflammation and improved skin healing. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that both MSCs and myrtle contributed to significant burn healing. The combination of myrtle and MSCs (Group E) exhibited the most effective skin regeneration, likely due to enhanced collagen production, reduced inflammation, and improved angiogenesis. These findings suggest that combining traditional herbal treatments with stem cell therapy may offer a promising strategy for burn management.
