The effect of rose oil on burn healing in a rat model of second degree burns

Introduction: Burn injuries are an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Second-degree burns are clinically significant due to their painful course and potential to cause serious complications if not properly treated. Among topical agents, silver sulfadiazine and furacin are commonly used; however, their cellular toxicity and limiting effects on healing are also well known. Interest in natural products with fewer side effects has increased. Rose oil obtained from Rosa damascena has attracted attention with its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties. This study aimed to investigate the effect of rose oil on the healing process in an experimental second-degree burn model. Methods: A total of 40 rats were used in the study. Second-degree burns were created on the dorsal regions of the rats using the standard comb technique. Daily topical treatments were administered with the specified agents. The burn healing process was evaluated macroscopically and histopathologically on days 3, 7, and 14. A significance level of p<0.05 was accepted for statistical analyses. Results: In the rose oil group, inflammation was milder in the early period, while from day 7 onward, fibroblast activity, collagen organization, granulation tissue, and angiogenesis were more pronounced compared to the control group. The silver sulfadiazine–furacin group demonstrated rapid effects on epithelialization and collagen accumulation in the early period, but showed limited improvement in fibroblast activity, angiogenesis, and granulation tissue in the later stages. Inflammation and necrosis were more prominent in the control group. Although burn area measurements showed a significant reduction over time in all groups, intergroup differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that rose oil provided beneficial contributions particularly in the later stages of second-degree burn healing. Although silver sulfadiazine–furacin produced rapid responses in the early stages, it exhibited limiting effects in the later period. The findings suggest that rose oil is not a standalone alternative to standard treatments but may represent a potential complementary therapeutic option.