Background: Skin ulcers and poor healing are serious problems in diabetic patients. Products of citrus herbal are promising in new studies. Many benefits of hesperidin especially for cutaneous functions including skin healing have been demonstrated.
Aim of the Study: The aim of this work was to evaluate the possible healing effect of hesperidin on diabetic skin injury in adult male albino rats.
Materials and Methods: Forty adult male albino rats were randomly divided into four equal groups (10 rats, each). Group I: the control; group II: hesperidin; group III: untreated diabetic rats; and group IV, diabetic rats treated with hesperidin. Skin specimens were obtained and processed for histological study using Hematoxylin and Eosin (H & E), Mallory trichrome (M.T) and immunohistochemical study using vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) Electron microscopic examination was done. Morphometric measurements of epidermal thickness and area percentage of collagen fibers were carried out followed by statistical analysis.
Results: The untreated diabetic group showed incomplete closure and scab covering proliferating epidermis. Another area of self- healed malformed skin revealed reepithelization with increased thickness of epidermis significantly. Epidermal cells showed loss of polarity and in between hyaline material. The underlying dermis revealed a significantly increased disorganized collagen fibers and massive inflammatory cells infiltration. Also, moderate VEGF immunoexpression was observed. Diabetic skin treated with hesperidin revealed complete closure of the wounds with thin apparently normal epidermis. The underlying dermis revealed normal amount of well-organized collagen fibers with few inflammatory cells infiltration and spaces between collagen fibers. Strong positive VEGF immunoexpression was observed reflecting enhanced angiogenesis.
Conclusion: Diabetic skin injuries are healing badly in relatively prolonged time. Hesperidin can be used as an adjunctive or alternative agent in diabetic wound giving good cosmetic results.