Determination of Wound Healing Activity of Shark Liver Oil using Burn Wound Model in Wistar Rats

Background: Research on wounds has proved that a wound instigates interruption to skin integrity caused by physical trauma or disease. Burn is a wound which causes tissue coagulant necrosis and thus exerts a devastating effect on individuals in terms of human health and injury. The present study is designed to evaluate wound healing properties of Shark liver oil and estimate various parameters such as, SOD, CAT, GSH, hydroxyproline and histopathological studies. Methods: Thermal injuries were done with a solid aluminum bar 10 mm in diameter formerly heated in boiling water to facilitate the temperature reached 100°C measured with a thermometer. Ketamine at a dose of 80 mg/kg is given to produce anesthesia and the hair on dorsum of rats were shaved to ensure even burn wounding. From day-1 to end of experiment (30 days), these rats were applied with Standard (Silver Sulphadiazine Ointment USP 5% w/w) and SLO (Shark liver oil emulgel, 5%, 10% and 15%) formulations were applied 1 mg/cm2; topically. Animals were subsequently examined for biochemical and histopathological variations. Results: In burn wound model the developed shark liver oil emulgel shows significant wound healing property in dose dependent manner as compare to disease control groups. The wound healing property of shark liver oil emulgel 5%, 10% and 15% (*p<0.05, **p<0.01) showed wound healing on 3rd and 4th week respectively. Conclusion: The shark liver oil emulgel exhibited significant wound healing activity in burn wound model, comparable to the marketed standard formulations. This finding provides an insight into the usage of the shark liver oil emulgel in the treatment of wounds or burns.