The effects of fig seed oil and saffron on wound healing in diabetic rats

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential wound healing effects of fig seed oil and saffron in diabetic conditions. The findings may contribute to the therapeutic potential of natural products in wound management. Materials and Methods: In this study, a total of 42 male Wistar albino rats, aged 6–8 weeks and weighing 250–350 g, were used. Animals were kept under standard laboratory conditions (12-hour light/dark cycle, 25 ± 2 °C, 60–65% humidity) and fed ad libitum during a 7-day acclimatization period. All animals were housed individually, and cages were cleaned daily. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg), prepared in 1 M sodium citrate buffer (pH 4.5), as per standard protocols. General anesthesia was administered intraperitoneally using xylazine HCl (10 mg/ml) and ketamine HCl (50 mg/ml). The rats were randomly divided into 7 groups (n=6). Three full-thickness skin incisions 15 mm, spaced 1 cm apart, were made along the midline of the dorsal region. Tissue samples were collected on days 3, 10, and 21 post-wounding. Results: Wound healing was evaluated using both macroscopic (measurement, observation, photography) and microscopic (histological, immunohistochemical) methods. Microscopic data were analyzed using a histological scoring system. Conclusion: The findings suggest that fig seed oil and saffron may have beneficial effects on wound healing in diabetic rats. Keywords: Diabet, Rat, Wound Healing, Fig Seed Oil, Saffron.