Background: Garlic extract can be used alongside conventional antibiotics to fight agents of nosocomial infections, prevalent in hospitals. Phonophoresis is the use of therapeutic ultrasound to increase the percutaneous absorption of pharmacologic agents.
Aim of the work: To compare between the use of garlic extract with and without phonophoresis in wound healing in male albino rats.
Material & methods: Twenty four male albino rats were classified into 4 equal groups. Group I included 6 rats used as the control group. Group II; 6 rats subjected to wound injury; of them 3 were sacrificed after 2weeks (subgroup-IIa) and the other 3 rats were sacrificed after 3 weeks (subgroup IIb). Group III (Garlic-extract treated) included 6 rats subjected to wound injury and received garlic extract gel daily. Of them, 3 rats and were sacrificed after 2weeks of treatment (subgroup-IIIa). The other 3 rats were sacrificed after 3 weeks of teatment (subgroup-IIIb). Group IV (Garlic extract /Phonophoresis, both) 6 rats subjected to wound injury and received garlic extract gel daily together with phonophoresis 3 times/week. Of which, 3 rats sacrificed after 2 weeks (subgroup-IVa) and 3 rats were sacrificed after 3 weeks (subgroup-IVb). The wound surface areas were measured. Skin sections were processed for histological, immunohistochemical and morphometric studies.
Results: Examination of skin sections in the wound group (group II) showed wide separation of edges and few hair follicles with reduced thickness and desquamated keratin. In group III and group IV, there was marked regeneration of the epidermis and dermis. With significant increase in hair follicles number in group IV compared to group III. Multiple immunostained CD44 +ve cells were detected in group IV.
Conclusion: Both garlic and phonophoresis helped wound healing but Garlic extract/phonophoresis combination revealed faster and better (i.e., more complete wound) healing compared to garlic extract application without phonophoresis.