Objective: The aim of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of a topical formulation containing chitosan-chamomile microparticles in cutaneous healing in rats. Method: Male Wistar rats (n=57) were randomly distributed into three groups: treatment; vehicle; and control. Evaluations were performed on days 2, 7 and 14 after the surgical procedure using skin lesion photography, and histological and biochemical analyses. Results: The results showed that there was no difference in the healing index and in the histological analysis of the inflammatory infiltrate among groups. Fibrogenesis was more significant in the group treated with the test formulation at day 7, and angiogenesis was greater in the vehicle and chamomile groups at day 2. The quantification of hydroxyproline showed a higher amount of collagen in the group treated with chamomile, mainly at day 14, although the histological quantification of collagen showed no difference between the groups. Conclusion: From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the formulation, although it had no effect on the healing time, improved the quality of the cicatricial tissue formed with a greater quantity of fibroblasts and collagen.
Keywords: Animal model; Chamomile; Chitosan; Injury; Pharmaceutical technology; Topical formulation; Wound; Wound care; Wound dressing; Wound healing.