The effects of different durations of zinc oxide-Turmeric dressing application on wound toward neovascularization and expression of macrophage marker antibody and Cyclooxygenase-2: An in vivo study

Background: Zinc oxide-turmeric dressing was known to have better anti-inflammatory properties than zinc oxide-eugenol dressing, but the optimal application duration is yet to be discovered. Aims: This study aimed to determine the optimal application duration of zinc oxide-turmeric dressing through molecular observation of neovascularization and expression of MAC387 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) during wound healing process in rat model. Materials and Methods: Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 5), Full-thickness excision of 6x6 mm was made on the dorsal area of all subjects and following the excision: The control (C) group was left undressed, while treatment groups was dresed with zinc oxide turmeric dressing for 3 days (T3 group), 5 days (T5 groups), and 7 days (T7 groups) prior to being sacrificed on day 7. All subjects were sacrificed on day 7. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemistry staining were performed to identify the neovascularization and MAC387 and COX-2 expressions. Data obtained were analyzed with analysis of variance and least significant difference test. Results: There was a significant higher neovascular number, higher MAC387 expression, and lower COX-2 expression in T5 and T7 groups compared to the C group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The application of zinc oxide-turmeric wound dressing for 5 and 7 days could increase both neovascularization and MAC387 expression and also decrease COX-2 expression on the observation day in day 7. The optimal application duration is 5 days.