Effect of Rosmarinic Acid in the Rat Experimental Wound Model

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of rosmarinic acid (RA) on wound healing using an experimental rat wound model, assessing collagen organization, inflammation, and epithelial regeneration. Methods: Twenty-one rats were divided equally into three groups: Control, Wound, and Wound+RA. An wound was created on the dorsal skin of rats in the wound and wound+RA groups. Rosmarinic acid cream (10%) was applied daily to the wound+RA group for 14 days. Tissue samples were collected at the end of the experiment for histological (Masson Trichrome) and immunohistochemical (Cytokeratin 14, CK14) analyses. Results: Histological evaluation showed significantly improved wound healing in the wound+RA group, characterized by organized collagen deposition, decreased inflammatory response, and enhanced epidermal regeneration compared to the wound group. Cytokeratin 14 immunostaining indicated increased CK14 expression, reflecting better epithelialization and keratinocyte differentiation in the RA-treated group. Conclusion: Topical application of Rosmarinic Acid significantly improved wound healing by enhancing collagen organization, reducing inflammation, and promoting epithelial regeneration, suggesting potential clinical applications of Rosmarinic Acid in wound care management. Keywords: rosmarinic acid, wound healing, CK14, immunohistochemistry