Effect of combination of photobiomodulation 904 nm superpulsed laser therapy and Hippophae rhamnoides L. on third-degree burn wound healing

Abstract

Background: Burn is a traumatic injury and aesthetic scarless repair poses a great challenge in area of cosmetic dermatology. Focus on multimode therapeutic strategies to promote healing of burns by regulating various stages of healing is warranted. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), a non-invasive modality grabs the attention to repair impaired wounds. Seabuckthorn extract (SBTL-ALE) is known to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and tissue-repair abilities. Current study aims to assess the effect of combination treatment of PBM 904 nm superpulsed laser and SBTL-ALE (2.5%) on repair of third-degree burn in rats.

Methods: Rats were randomized into five groups: uninjured, control, SBTL-ALE, 904 nm PBMT, and combination. A transdermal burn wound was induced on the dorsal side of rats of all groups except the uninjured group and respective treatment was applied for 7 days postwounding.

Results: Dual treatment increased wound area contraction compared to control and either treatment alone. Immunohistochemical analyses exhibited increased angiogenesis, dermal hydration, collagen synthesis, and maintained redox homeostasis as evidenced by enhanced expression (p < 0.05) of CD31, aquaporin3, collagen type 3, Nrf2, and HO1 in combination group compared with control. Conversely, pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress markers exhibited reduced (p < 0.05) TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, NOS-2, ROS levels, and increased catalase activity in combined treatment. Furthermore, energy metabolizing enzymes viz. citrate synthase, CCO, and ATP contents were substantially (p < 0.05) increased, and LDH activity was reduced in the combination group.

Conclusions: Dual treatment (PBMT + SBTL-ALE) prominently accelerates third-degree burn wound healing in rats, which could pave the path for multimode therapeutic strategies for the management of burns and dermal cosmetic care.

Keywords: Seabuckthorn; burn wound healing; combined therapy; photobiomodulation; superpulsed 904 nm laser.