Topical Helichrysum italicum Essential Oil-Based Ointment Hastens Excisional Wound Healing by Alleviating Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Rats

This study aimed to develop novel topical semi-solid formulation based on Helichrysum italicum (H. italicum) essential oil and to assess its wound-healing capacity through macroscopic and biochemical examination of markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Methods: The wound-healing effect was evaluated on an excision wound model. The study was carried out on male Wistar albino rats with induced diabetes type 1. Diabetic rats were randomly divided into four groups: control (CTRL), 1% silver sulfadiazine (SSD), ointment base (OINT), and HIEO OINT (H. italicum essential oil-based ointment). The investigated formulations were applied once daily, for three weeks. The formulation containing H. italicum essential oil has shown no changes in color, smell, consistency, or homogeneity during the storage period at room temperature for six months. Three-week administration of HIEO ointment led to a significant reduction in wound size and the percentage of wound contraction was the highest in HIOE point group. A significant increase in wound contraction percentage was observed from day 7. The treatment with HIEO ointment significantly reduced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and enhanced IL-10 levels. Additionally, a three-week administration of HIEO ointment elevated antioxidative enzymes detected in wound tissue. Our findings showed that topical application of HIEO ointment showed immense potential in augmenting skin wound regeneration in diabetes rats by upregulating the antioxidant status as well as modulating cytokines.