Topical aloe vera and hyaluronic acid accelerate healing of skin graft donor sites in Wistar rats

Donor site wounds from split-thickness skin grafts (STSG) present significant challenges in wound management due to pain, delayed healing, and infection risk. Paraffin gauze, a common dressing, has limitations that may hinder optimal recovery. Natural agents such as Aloe vera and hyaluronic acid (HA) have shown individual potential in enhancing tissue regeneration. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a topical combination of Aloe vera gel and 0.8% HA in accelerating STSG donor site healing compared to paraffin gauze in male Wistar rats. A randomized post-test-only control group design was conducted using 28 male Wistar rats. A 10×10 mm split-thickness wound was created on the dorsum of each rat to simulate a donor site. The treatment group received a topical Aloe vera–HA gel, while controls were treated with paraffin gauze. Wound healing was assessed through histological analysis of fibroblast count and collagen density on days 0, 7, and 14, along with clinical evaluation of epithelialization. Results showed significantly higher fibroblast levels and collagen density in the treatment group on day 7 (p<0.05), with values declining by day 14, consistent with wound remodelling. Epithelialization was also significantly faster in the treatment group at both day 7 and day 14 (p<0.05). In conclusion, the combination of Aloe vera and HA promotes fibroblast proliferation, enhances collagen deposition, and accelerates epithelialization, offering a promising alternative to paraffin gauze for STSG donor site care.