The Role of Pomelo Peel Extract for Experimentally Induced Wound in Diabetic Rats

Introduction: Delayed wound healing is a chronic complication in diabetic patients than in healthy individuals. Pomelo belongs to the genus Citrus of the family Rutaceae, an important fruit with great benefits for humans in the world. Previous studies showed that pomelo peels contain an abundant bioactive compound, which may promote wound healing in experimental animals. Aim: The current study was carried to prepare optimized extraction of pomelo peels using different experimental conditions and investigate the possible healing effect of oral treatment with pomelo peel extract (PPE) on induced excision skin wound in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: This study was done on rats divided into five groups each of 8 rats (two treatment groups given PPE (400 and 600) mg/kg by oral gavage compared to two control groups and standard plant for wound healing). Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of Streptozotocin (STZ) 65 mg\kg body weight. After diabetes induction, full thickness excision wound was made in rats, and the study continued for 3 weeks. Results: This study showed significant reduction in blood glucose and both percentage and time to wound closure in the treated groups, also a significant increase in hydroxyproline and total protein content of the healed wound tissue in the treated groups compared with control groups and comparable to standard plant extract treated groups. Conclusion: Experimental data proposed that oral administration of pomelo peel extract rich in vitamins and flavonoids has a good therapeutic potential in the treatment of complicated wounds in diabetes.