The effect of snakehead fish extract on acute wound healing process in hyperglycemic rats

Abstract

Introduction: Wound healing is an integrated response to tissue injury. A hyperglycemic state can lead to delayed wound healing process. Snakehead fish (Channa striata) is native freshwater fish of South East Asia that contains high protein, albumin, and several micronutrients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of snakehead fish extract on acute wound healing process in streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic rats. Methods: This study was an experimental trial on the hyperglycemic animal model. Thirty male Wistar streptozotocin-induced rats were divided into two groups which were then given snakehead fish extract (Pujimin Plus®) 81mg a day for 10 days after wound infliction in intervention group and carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (Na-CMC) in control group. On day 0, day 3, and day 10 after wound infliction, the histological changes (number of neutrophil and fibroblast, and vascular changes of the wounded tissues) of each group were analyzed. Assessments were also made on erythema and crust formation by the visual scores. Results: Our study showed a significant increase in the number of fibroblasts on day 3 in the snakehead fish extract group compared to control group (40.33 ± 10.13 vs. 24.60 ± 10.25, p =0.04). There were no significant differences in vasculature and neutrophil numbers. The results also showed snakehead fish extract could decrease mean erythema visual score on day 3 (3.24 ± 0.25 vs. 3.64 ± 0.35) and decreased crust formation on day 5 (3.36 ± 0.75 vs 3.44 ± 0.83). Conclusions: Snakehead fish extract has potential effect to accelerate the wound healing process by increasing fibroblast, decreasing erythema, and decreasing crust formation in streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic rats.