Parisa Nematollahi - Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Nasrin Mohammadi Aref - Student Research Committee, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Iran
Farzaneh Zahmatkesh Meimandi - Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Seyede Laya Rozei - Student Research Committee, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Iran
Hamidreza Zareé - Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Seyyed Mohammad Javad Mirlohi - Student Research Committee, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Iran
Shima Rafiee - Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Maryam Mohsenikia - Young Researchers and Elite Club, Tehran Medical Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Ali Soleymani - Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, Iran
Soheil Ashkani-Esfahani - Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Alireza Ebrahimi - Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Ali Noorafshan - Histomorphometry and Stereology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) has a broad spectrum of complications and comorbidities. Delayed wound healing is a major reason for infections and further life-threatening complications; the process of vascularization and tissue regeneration as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant reactions of the body are impaired in DM. Matricaria Chamomilla (MC) is a herbal medicine which has antimicrobial, antioxidant and wound healing potentials.Objectives: In this study, these potentials are evaluated on full thickness diabetic excisional skin wounds by using stereological methods.Methods: In this experimental study, ۴۸ male Wistar rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes (۵۰ mg/kg intraperitoneally) were divided into ۴ groups (n = ۱۲) randomly: MC ۵% gel treated, MC ۱۰% gel treated, gel-base treated group, and the control group receiving no treatment. After creating ۱ cm۲ wounds, rats were treated every ۲۴ hours for ۱۵ days. Volume densities of collagens, wound closure rate, volume density, length density, and mean diameter of vessels, and fibroblast proliferation, were examined and analyzed. P ≤ ۰.۰۵ was mentioned as statistically significant.Results: MC gels receiving groups showed hastened wound area reduction in contrast with gel-base and control groups (P < ۰.۰۵). Numerical density of fibroblasts, mean diameter and length densities of the vessels in MC groups were significantly higher than the control and the base groups (P < ۰.۰۵).Conclusions: It is demonstrated that MC has the ability to improve wound healing by enhancing fibroblast proliferation and revascularization in diabetic skin injuries and has the potential to be considered as an alternative treatment.

Diabetes Mellitus, Wound, Matricaria Chamomilla, stereology, Rat