Effects of a topical zinc oxide- <i>Momordica charantia</i> oil formulation on wound healing in diabetic and non-diabetic rats

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a topical zinc oxide-Momordica charantia oil formulation on wound healing in diabetic and non-diabetic rats.Materials and methods Twenty-eight female Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups (n = 7 each): non-diabetic control (NDC), non-diabetic treated (NDT), diabetic control (DC), and diabetic treated (DT). Three standardized full-thickness excisional wounds were created on the dorsal region of each rat. Treated groups received zinc oxide-M. charantia cream (0.5 g) topically once daily for 21 days, whereas control groups underwent daily saline cleaning. Wound healing was assessed by wound area measurements on days 7, 14, and 21, together with hydroxyproline analysis and histopathological examination.Results Wound area decreased significantly over time in all groups (p < 0.001). On day 7, residual wound area percentages were significantly lower in DT(51.54 ± 5.23%) and NDT(53.77 ± 3.16%) than in DC(62.42 ± 6.42%) and NDC(63.15 ± 2.43%; p = 0.001). By days 14 and 21, wound areas were markedly reduced in all groups with no significant differences between groups. Hydroxyproline levels increased over time(p = 0.004) and were higher in treated groups, especially NDT on day 7. Histopathology also indicated less inflammation and more organized connective tissue formation in treated groups.Conclusion Topical zinc oxide-M. charantia oil cream improved early wound closure and collagen-related findings, particularly on day 7. However, wound closure became similar among groups by days 14 and 21. Because a vehicle-matched control cream was not included, these findings should be interpreted as preliminary evidence for the complete formulation and require confirmation in vehicle-controlled and adequately powered studies.