Abstract: Achillea millefolium, belonging to the Asteraceae family, is used widely in many parts of the world. There are many reports about therapeutic application of yarrow in treatment of various diseases. But the documented information about the enhancing effect of yarrow extract on healing of the burn wound is few. The aim of this investigation was a clinical and microbiological evaluation of the accelerating effect of the yarrow (aqueous extract) on the burn wound healing in rabbit. A total of 10 male white rabbits, with mean weight of 2,000±250 g were studied. Based on Hoekstra standard model, burn wounds (20×25 mm2) were created in dorsal region of each animal. Five mililiter of aqueous extract of yarrow used on the experiment wounds every day for 21 days. In the control group, the wounds were washed with normal saline at same frequency and time of day. Clinical and microbiological examinations of the burn wounds were carried out on 0, 7, 14 and 21days of the experiment. The wounds were photographed and compared for rate of wound contraction with digital scanning software. Wounds treated with yarrow extract had more improved healing appearance and the rate of contraction in contrast to the control wounds. Furthermore, a lesser total count of microorganisms was found (2±0.4 ×104 cm-2) when yarrow extract was applied on burn wounds compared to the control wounds (1±0.5×105 cm-2) on the day 21 (p<0.05). According to the results of this study, topical application of the aqueous extract of Achillea millefolium could enhance burn wound healing process in the rabbit from clinical and microbiological aspects.
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