Ameliorative Effects of Pistacia atlantica Resin Oil on Experimentally-Induced Skin Burn in Rat

Background and objectives: Severe burn damage and its consequences are life threatening which can complicate patients’ health. Burn damage increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation which leads to severe damage to tissues and is implicated in burn shock. Some medicinal and traditional plants are considered as safe, natural and inexpensive sources for treatment of different of diseases. Pistacia atlantica has shown anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties and has also been used traditionally as an ointment for wound healing in some parts of Iran. In this study, the beneficial effect of P. atlantica resin oil on rats’ burn wound healing and its potential effects on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hydroxyproline and antioxidants in wound area was examined. Methods: Thirty male rats (200±10 g) were randomly and divided into three groups (n=10) as follow: Group 1: burn injury, Group 2: burn injury receiving 300 μL/kg/day P. atlantica resin oil topically, Group 3: burn injury receiving 300 mg/kg/day sulfadiazine cream topically. At the end of the study (day 14) the area of wounds were measured and then skins with burn damage were dissected and anti-oxidative parameters, VEGF and hydroxyproline were evaluated. Results: We found that Pistacia Atlantica oil significantly increased antioxidant defense, VEGF and hydroxyproline and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Pistacia atlantica remarkably reduced wound size compared to burn the control group and showed more beneficial effects compared to sulfadiazine as the positive control. Conclusion: Pistacia atlantica resin oil could be considered as a new therapeutic agent for treatment of injuries such as burn damages.