Efficacy of Quercetin Treatment and Low Level Laser Therapy on Wound Healing in Normal and Diabetic Rats

Background: Low level laser therapy (LLLT), commonly known as photo-stimulation or phototherapy has emerged. Methods: One hundred rats were used and streptozotocin (45mg /kg body weight) was applied for diabetic induction. An 2cm2 full thickness skin wound was created a specifically with a scalped in 10 groups of non-diabetic rats and diabetic rats on the shaved back of the animal. The study was performed using 630.8 nm laser incident dose of 6.36 J/cm2 and treatment schedule of 3 times/week with quercetin were used in the experiment. The area of wound in all rats was measured. LTB4, PGE2, TNF-α, and IL-4 in the serum level in rats were determined using ELISA technique. Results: Serum LTB4, PGE2, TNF-α, and IL-4 levels were significantly improved as a result of treatment of non-diabetic and diabetic wounded rats with quercetin and LLLT. The concomitant treatment with quercetin and LLLT produced the most potent effects on altered cytokines as a result of quercetin treatment or LLLT. Reduction in the wound size was also observed as a result of treatment with quercetin and LLLT. The pro-healing actions seem to be due to increased collagen deposition as well as better alignment & maturation in second week. The weak linear response of the stress strain characteristic curve for the control group is due to the fact that tissue is mainly composed of two components, collagen and hydroxyapatite crystals. The stress/strain exhibited significant changes between the treated and non-treated groups. Conclusion: The biomechanical and biochemical analysis and observation suggested that 6.36 J/cm2 laser photo-stimulation and quercetin treatment facilitates the tissue repair process by accelerating collagen production in diabetic wound healing.