The effect of topical curcumin extract on fibroblast count and collagen density as an indicator on accelerating clean wound healing process: A study on wistar rats

A factor that plays an important role in the process of wound healing is fibroblast, where fibroblasts can trigger the formation of collagen. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) containing curcumin and volatile oil is believed to accelerate fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis. This study compared the effectiveness of curcumin extract topical and tulle in the acceleration the process of wound healing in rat skin. This was an experimental study using Rattus novergicus. The rats were divided into four groups: Group of wounds that treat with carbomer, NaCl 0.9%, tulle and curcumin extract topical, then they were compared by the fibroblast count and collagen density. In this study, there were significant differences in the number of fibroblasts among the four groups (p = 0.034). We found that mean fibroblast count in group of wounds treated with curcumin extract topical was higher than that treated with tulle, and we obtained p = 0.045. There was no difference in collagen density score between groups of wounds treated with curcumin extract topical and tulle. There was a significant difference of fibroblast count in curcumin extract topical group compared to tulle group. However, there was no significant difference in collagen density score between both of them.