In vivo wound healing effect of Italian and Algerian Pistacia vera L. resins

Pistacia vera oleoresin is one of the natural products used traditionally for the management of wounds. However, there were no scientific reports documented so far on the wound healing activities to substantiate the claim. This study assesses the potential of the oleoresin of P. vera collected in Italy and Algeria for wound healing efficacy via in vivo circular wound excision model. Italian and Algerian oleoresins were subjected to purification and successive fractionation to obtain three matrices. The fractions have been characterized using GC-FID and GC–MS analyses. Oleoresins mixed with vaseline (5% w/w) were topically applied on wound excision induced on the dorsum of rabbits. Wound healing effects were evaluated by percent of wound contraction. Biopsies performed after healing were histologically assessed. Phytochemical results showed a high content of terpenoids components inducing an efficient wound healing effect determined by an in vivo study. Italian and Algerian oleoresins ointments showed significant wound contraction from day 8 to day 16 as compared to the negative control. The two ointments have not showed statistically difference as compared to Cicatryl, reference drug. These results have also been confirmed by the histological evaluation of the tissues involved. The absence of signs of toxicity on the skin of rabbits indicated the safety of the ointments. The study showed that both oleoresins have a very high effectiveness as wound healing agents and appear to justify their traditional use in wound healing in several countries and offer a scientific support to the treatment of traditional healers.